DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT: Comprehensive STEP Grant from the Texas Department of Transportation
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing acceptance of grant funds for a Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) from October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015. This grant, not to exceed $1,000,000, will help augment the San Antonio Police Department's (SAPD) efforts to combat the incidence of DWI and Distracted Driving. The grant will also allow the SAPD to initiate a pilot program between the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT) to address Pedestrian and Vulnerable Road User safety. This ordinance will authorize a cash match not to exceed $300,000.00 and an in-kind match not to exceed $225,355.00, and will establish a budget for the grant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant will pay for overtime activity to help augment the San Antonio Police Department's (SAPD) efforts to combat the incidence of DWI, Distracted Driving, and Vulnerable Road User violations through enforcement and public information and education. Activity will be conducted with sworn officers assigned to the program on both regular time and overtime basis.
Grant funding is estimated at $1,000,000.00, a cash match of $300,000.00, and an in-kind match of $225,355.00. The funds will be used based on the following percentages: approximately 65% for DWI enforcement and 35% for distracted driving. $187,510.00 in cash match will be used for the Pedestrian and Vulnerable Road User pilot program between the City of San Antonio and TXDoT. The information and results shared with TXDoT will be used for development of future grant opportunities. In fiscal year 2014, SAPD was granted an award of $1,000,000.00 with a cash match of $300,000.00, and in-kind march of $136,500.00.
The submission of the application was authorized with a Special Category Grant Opportunity Authorization with final approval given on January 7th, 2014.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues the City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City traffic enforcement programs addressing DWI, distracted driving and vulnerable road user violations. This program from TXDoT will augment the City's efforts in reducing incidence of DWI and distracted driving, while also enhancing Pedestrian and Vulnerable Road User safety in and around the City of San Antonio.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may choose not to authorize the acceptance of the grant. However, enforcement efforts would be significantly impaired without the funding. Historical data shows that at least 25% of SAPD's overall DWI arrests come as a result of TXDoT grants. Grant funding allows for increased DWI enforcement, the outcome of which is a higher DWI arrest rate. This grant will be the first to address the specific issue of Distracted Driving, an increasing concern in San Antonio. Finally, this current proposed grant would initiate a pilot program aimed at increasing Pedestrian and Vulnerable Road User safety and education. By not accepting this grant award, the SAPD would not have the dedicated resources necessary to address Distracted Driving, Pedestrian, and Vulnerable Road User concerns.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of grant funds for the Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) with a total proposed program budget of $1,525,355.00. This includes grant funding of $1,000,000.00, a FY 2015 General Fund cash match of $300,000.00, which is included in the FY 2015 Proposed Budget, and an in-kind contribution of $225,355.00. The City's in-kind contribution will come from the cost of the vehicles used while performing grant activities (fuel, maintenance, repairs, etc.) and the cost of court appearances by officers who make arrests while working the grant.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the acceptance of the awarded grant funds from TXDoT in order to continue the enhanced enforcement efforts resulting from the Comprehensive STEP program.