City of San Antonio - File #: 19-1943

• File #: 19-1943
• Type: Grant Applications and Awards
• In control: City Council A Session
• On agenda: 3/21/2019
• Posting Language: Ordinance approving the application and acceptance, if awarded, of a Texas Department of Transportation "Click It Or Ticket" Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant of up to $40,000.00 for the period from May 20, 2019 through June 2, 2019. [María Villagómez, Deputy City Manager; William P. McManus, Chief of Police]

DEPARTMENT: Police                     

DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police

COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide

SUBJECT: 2019 Texas Department of Transportation Click It Or Ticket It Seat Belt Enforcement Grant

SUMMARY:

An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds, if awarded, of up to a $40,000.00 grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the 2019 "Click It Or Ticket" Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) seatbelt program.  The grant period is from May 20th, 2019 to June 2^nd, 2019 and funding is for overtime salaries.  There are no positions supported by this grant.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The grant proposal requests funding for the 2019 “Click It Or Ticket” STEP seatbelt program.  The $40,000.00 grant will fund enforcement overtime from May 20, 2019 to June 2, 2019 with the goal of increasing occupant restraint use in all passenger vehicles and trucks.  In addition to intense seatbelt and child restraint enforcement, public information and education will be conducted during the enforcement period.  This will be the eighteenth (18^th) year that TxDOT has offered this grant to the San Antonio Police Department.

ISSUE:

An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds, if awarded, of up to a $40,000.00 grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the 2019 "Click It Or Ticket" Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) seatbelt program.  The 2019 program from TxDOT will enhance the City’s efforts in the enforcement of state traffic laws.

ALTERNATIVES:

City Council could elect not to approve this grant application, however that would limit the Department's ability to ensure compliance with state laws requiring the use of seat belts for motor vehicle operators and passengers.  Additionally, not participating in this year's program may jeopardize opportunities for future TxDOT grants.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Grant funds in the amount of $40,000.00 will be used to support overtime salaries associated with the seatbelt program. This grant does not require a city match. 

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that City Council approve the application and acceptance of the funds upon award in order to continue this significant public safety effort.