For City Council Meeting [September 27, 2022]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Mark P. Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Adopt Resolution No. 7983 Amending the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget; (2) Accept the 2022 BJA-Byrne Discretionary Justice Assistance Grant Program in the Amount of $700,000; and (3) Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Funding Agreement and All Related Documents.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND
Since 2005, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has used the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to fund projects for law enforcement agencies that improve the functioning in three key areas. These areas are the improvement of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency or assist victims of crime. Law enforcement agencies will use funding to create projects that better their agency’s ability in one of the three areas.
On August 10, 2021, the City Council reviewed with Staff several federal funding opportunities with the City’s federal legislators. The funding opportunities were initiated by US House Leadership efforts to allow for “Community Project Requests” (formerly earmarks) to fund a wide variety of types of projects, including transportation, public safety / FEMA, and others. Staff was asked to gather and identify the types of projects that might be submitted.
In February 2020 the Council received a long list of types of projects to submit for an earlier opportunity with the state budget at that time. In this case, the US House announced the federal funding request opportunity in mid-March with deadline to file requests within 2-3 weeks later. Several funding requests were submitted to the various legislators including one request for funding in the amount of $700,000 with Congressman Pete Aguilar for new body-worn cameras for the Rialto Police Department.
Through the Community Project Request process, Rep. Aguilar successfully included the City’s funding request of $700,000 in the Federal Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act. President Biden signed the bill in March 2022 formally allocating these federal funds to Rialto. The federal funds are disbursed through the typical programs, and in this case, the funds flow through the Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Rialto Police Department, through the assistance of Rep. Pete Aguilar, was awarded a Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant of $700,000 in federal funds to be used over a three-year period for the purchase of body-camera equipment and technology. The Rialto Police Department will use this funding to update Axon body worn cameras to the newest Axon Body 3 model.
Currently, field personnel of the Rialto Police Department utilize the Axon body-worn camera technology from 2016. Updating the body worn cameras will allow for higher quality video and audio which will aid in investigations, prosecution, officer accountability and help maintain a high level of transparency with our community members.
The Axon Body 3 is the next generation of high definition (HD) audio-video recording device that allows officers to capture vital information prior to, during, and after incidents. By upgrading and purchasing the newest body-worn cameras, the Rialto Police Department will have the ability to utilize Axon’s newest technologies, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), longer battery life and high-quality camera resolution-specifically during low-light situations. The new Axon Body 3 cameras come with an array of enhancements to include: enhanced audio quality, wide-angle lens (which allows for greater video quality), a compact rugged design, and various mounting options which can be utilized with any uniform configuration.
Upgrading technology is pivotal to the success of progressive policing. The benefits in upgrading body worn cameras include reducing use-of-force incidents, complaints, reduction of court costs, an increase of case filings by the District Attorney’s Office and enhanced documentation of evidence. Additionally, supervisors historically experience a reduction in time investigating use-of-force incidents and complaints, which directly translates to continuing to build trust within the community. Building public trust and legitimacy are priorities within the Rialto Police Department.
The requested action is to accept the $700,000 grant and amend the budget to recognize receipt of the federal funds and the related expenditure. Additionally, the Department of Justice will provide a standard funding agreement that will require the City’s approval. Pursuant to this action, the City Manager will be authorized to execute the funding agreement to accommodate the City’s receipt and use of the federal funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by Section 15378 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and excludes the following:
1) Continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel-related actions, general policy, and procedure making.
2) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
The City of Rialto has outlined key goals and objectives relating to public safety. The acceptance of this award is consistent with meeting these objectives.
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
Accepting the 2022 BJA-Byrne Discretionary Justice Assistance Grant Program in the amount of $700,000.00 will increase revenue in the amount of $700,000.00 to be appropriated in the Byrne Discretionary Justice Assistance Grant Program Revenue Account No. 247-400-6993-7560 and offsetting the increase of expenditures in the amount of $700,000.00 in the Account No. 247-500-6993-2021 for the expenses associated with the purchase of equipment for this grant award.
This grant requires no local City match.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This report does not impact the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not trigger a requirement for a business license.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 7978 Amending the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget;
2) Accept the 2022 BJA-Byrne Discretionary Justice Assistance Grant Program in the Amount of $700,000;
3) Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Funding Agreement and All Related Documents.