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 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant in the amount of $900,000 for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021; authorizing a cash match of $265,000, and an in-kind match not to exceed $77,500 from the Police Department’s FY 2021 Budget. This grant enhances the San Antonio Police Department’s (SAPD) efforts to combat incidences of DWI, speeding, occupant protection, distracted driving and intersection related violations.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The grant application was authorized by a Special Category Grant Opportunity Submission Authorization Request and the application was submitted to TxDOT on January 9, 2020. The STEP will pay 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.
The TxDOT award consists of $900,000 from TxDOT, a City cash match of $265,000, and an in-kind match of $77,500.00. The total proposed program budget is $1,242,500. The City's in-kind contribution will come from the cost of the vehicles used while performing grant activities such as fuel, maintenance, and repairs.
Past fiscal year awards from the Texas Department of Transportation are reflected in the table below:
|
FY 2011 |
FY 2012 |
FY 2013 |
FY 2014 |
FY 2015 |
FY 2016 |
FY 2017 |
FY 2018 |
FY 2019 |
|
$840,000 |
$556,483 |
$464,537 |
$1 Million |
$1 Million |
$1 Million |
$1 Million |
$900,000 |
$900,000 |
The Public Safety Committee was briefed on this grant on September 11, 2020 and the Committee recommended this item for approval at the October 1st, City Council “A” Session.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant in the amount of $900,000 for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. Authorizes a cash match of $265,000, and an in-kind match not to exceed $77,500 from the Police Department’s FY 2021 Budget.
This program expands the City's efforts in reducing crashes and fatalities with proactive traffic enforcement and public information and education through community outreach provided by the SAFFE units.
ALTERNATIVES:
This grant enhances the San Antonio Police Department’s (SAPD) efforts to combat incidences of DWI, speeding, occupant protection, distracted driving and intersection related violations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes a program budget not to exceed $1,242,500.00. The total proposed program budget includes grant funding of $900,000.00, a FY 2021 General Fund cash-match of $265,000.00, and an in-kind contribution of $77,500.00. The City's in-kind contribution will come from the cost of the vehicles used while performing grant activities such as fuel, maintenance, and repairs, and the cost of court appearances by officers who make arrests while performing grant activities.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends acceptance of this grant.