DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant from the Texas Department of Transportation
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the acceptance of grant funds from the Texas Department of Transportation’s Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017. The STEP grant in the amount of $1,000,000.00 will enhance the San Antonio Police Department’s (SAPD) efforts to combat incidences of DWI, speeding, occupant protection, distracted driving and intersection related violations. This ordinance will also establish a total budget of $1,493,527.00 that includes grant funds of $1,000,000.00, a cash match not to exceed $265,000.00 and an in-kind match not to exceed $228,527.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program will pay for traffic enforcement and educational activity on an overtime basis to help augment the San Antonio Police Department's (SAPD) efforts to reduce the incidence of DWI, speeding, occupant protection, distracted driving and intersection related violations. Enforcement activity will be conducted with sworn officers assigned to the program on an overtime basis and the educational component will consist of both regular duty and overtime assignments.
The TxDOT award consists of $1,000,000.00 from TxDOT, a City cash match of $265,000.00, and an in-kind match of $228,527.00. The total proposed program budget is $1,493,527.00. 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. Approximately 50% of the funding will be used for DWI enforcement and 50% of the budget is allocated for speeding, occupant protection, distracted driving and intersection related traffic enforcement.
Past fiscal year awards from the Texas Department of Transportation include:
• 2011 - Awarded $840,000.00
• 2012 - Awarded $556,482.84
• 2013 - Awarded $464,537.41
• 2014 - Awarded $1,000,000.00
• 2015 - Awarded $1,000,000.00
• 2016 - Awarded $1,000,000.00
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues the City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for traffic safety programs. This program from TxDOT will expand the City's efforts in reducing crashes and fatalities with aggressive traffic enforcement and public information and education through community outreach provided by the SAFFE units.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may choose not to authorize the submission and acceptance of the grant. However, enforcement as well as the educational efforts would be significantly impaired without the funding. Historical data shows that at least 20% of SAPD’s overall DWI arrests come as a result of the TxDOT grants. In addition, 17% of all occupant protection, speeding and distracted driving tickets issued in calendar year 2015 were from officers working the TxDOT grant.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes a program budget not to exceed $1,493,527.00. The total proposed program budget includes grant funding of $1,000,000.00, a FY 2017 General Fund cash match of $265,000.00, which has been budgeted as part of the FY 2017 Proposed Budget, and an in-kind contribution of $228,527.00. 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 submission and acceptance of the grant application for funds from TxDOT in order to continue the enhanced enforcement and educational efforts resulting from the Comprehensive STEP program.