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 a $900,000.00 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant for the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. This ordinance also authorizes a grant project budget of $1,222,393.00; a cash match not to exceed $265,000.00 and an in-kind match not to exceed $57,393.00.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant will provide for traffic enforcement and educational activity on an overtime basis to help augment the SAPD's 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. This grant provides funding for over 11,000 hours of enforcement. In 2018, the City received $900,000.00 from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in STEP grant funding.
The TxDOT award consists of $900,000.00 from TxDOT, a City cash match of $265,000.00, and an in-kind match of $57,393.00. The total proposed program budget is $1,222,393.00. 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.
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 fata...
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