DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Professional Services Agreement for Administration of the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Grant Program
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing, upon approval and release of supplemental grant funds by the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, the execution of a professional services agreement in an amount not to exceed $135,000.00 per year, for professional services pertaining to the administration of the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Grant Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) was chosen by the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division (CJD) to apply for an invitation-only grant opportunity to initiate and establish a multi-agency task force in San Antonio to combat gang activity in the area. The program is similar to the HIDTA concept in that the program would create a working group/task force that includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The objective is to provide a central point for investigative and operation coordination and de-confliction of investigations of gang activity and increase officer safety by not compromising an active investigation or targeting an undercover officer.
Based on initial commitments there are eleven agencies (including the SAPD) committing approximately 95 personnel to the program. It is expected that the program will eventually include over 15 agencies and upwards of 120 personnel. The TAG Administrator will report directly to the TAG Executive Advisory Board which includes representatives from each participating agency. While the executive Advisory Board will have the authority to hire and fire the position, the SAPD has ultimate authority as the Grantee.
The grant has provisions for the hiring of a professional contractor to act as the Administrator for the program. The classification of this position as a contractor is consistent with current TAG programs in the state and past practice with other programs such as HIDTA.
The TAG Administrator will be tasked with ensuring the proper daily functioning of the facilities, equipment, and security measures; assist enforcement agencies contributing to the project; monitor the needs of the law enforcement agencies participating in the project; obtain, synthesize, assemble, and report statistics and other data from the law enforcement agencies participating in the project; act with consent of the TAG Executive Advisory Board and advise the Board in matters relating to strategic planning, policy, and performance indicators relating to the TAG grant; facilitate and promote interagency communication; collaborate interagency projects; identify future funding sources; ensure compliance with grant mandates and policies; work in conjunction with partners and stakeholders regarding the sharing of intelligence, trends, and threats; coordinate the collection of monthly enforcement statistics, the preparation of quarterly enforcement reports, and other reports as necessary to provide grantors with required data for evaluation of current and future grants or funding assistance; and oversee the TAG facility and is the primary contact with building management/landlord.
In February 2017, the position was advertised on the City’s Job Board, resulting in seven applicants for the position. The interview process consisted of six interviews conducted on March 9, 2017 by members of the TAG Advisory Board which included representatives from SAPD, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security and HIDTA. Prior to execution of the contractual agreement the selected candidate withdrew. The necessitated that the position be re-advertised and new interviews conducted.
In June 2017, the position was re-advertised on the City’s Job Board, resulting in six applicants for the position. The interview process consisted of four interviews conducted on August 14, 2017 by members of the TAG Advisory Board which included representatives from SAPD, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security, and Houston TAG. The interview process resulted in the selected applicant.
Final execution of the Professional Service Agreement will be contingent upon approval and release of supplemental grant funds by the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division.
This contact will be dependent on grant funding and will begin upon execution by all parties. Continuation of the services to be performed under this contract is contingent upon grant funding as well as approval by the Chief of Police or his designee.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues the City Council's policy of seeking intergovernmental financial assistance for City crime prevention and enforcement programs addressing sexual abuse/assault of children.
ALTERNATIVES:
Other than entering into a professional services contract for a TAG Administrator, there are no other funds or personnel that could carry out this activity.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes a consultant contract in an amount not to exceed $135,000.00 per year to provide administrative and coordination services for the Texas Anti-Gang Grant Program. The actual costs and duration of the contract will coincide with each of the grant funding cycles; January 1st, 2017-December 31st, 2017 and January 1st, 2018-December 31st, 2018. This ordinance will not impact the City’s General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City of San Antonio move forward in entering into a professional services contact for administrative and coordination services for the Texas Anti-Gang Grant Program.