DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Impaired Driving Mobilization DWI Enforcement Grant from the Texas Department of Transportation
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a grant for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Impaired Driving Mobilization (IDM) program for the period of December 15, 2020, through September 30, 2021. The grant amount is $65,000 with an in-kind match of $16,250 for a total program of $81,250.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On August 21, 2019 the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) received an invitation from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) requesting that the SAPD apply for a $65,000.00 Impaired Driving Mobilization Grant (IDM) for DWI enforcement. The grant provides resources dedicated to augment SAPD’s efforts to reduce the incidence of DWI. Enforcement activity will be conducted with sworn officers assigned to the program on an overtime basis. In addition to intense seatbelt and child restraint enforcement, state-wide public information and education activities will be conducted by TxDOT during the enforcement period.
The grant award consists of $65,000 from TxDOT and an in-kind match of $16,250 for a total proposed program budget is $81,250. The City's in-kind contribution will come from the cost of the vehicles (fuel, maintenance, repairs, etc.) used while performing grant activities and the administrative salary of personnel to manage the grant.
Past fiscal year IDM grant awards from the Texas Department of Transportation include:
• 2011 - Awarded $ 30,000
• 2010 - Awarded $100,000
The grant application was approved through a Grant Application Authorization Form (GAAF) dated September 23, 2020.
The Public Safety Committee was briefed on this grant on October 20, 2020 and the Committee recommended this item City Council approval.
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 proactive DWI traffic enforcement.
ALTERNATIVES:
This grant provides resources for over 700 hours of DWI enforcement which would not be possible without this funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) DWI traffic enforcement grant called Impaired Driving Mobilization (IDM) for the period of December 1st, 2020 through September 30, 2021. The grant in the amount of $65,000 will enhance the San Antonio Police Department’s (SAPD) efforts to combat incidences of DWI. This ordinance will also establish a total budget of $81,250 which includes grant funds of $65,000 and an in-kind match not to exceed $16,250.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the submission and acceptance of the grant application for funds from TxDOT in order to increase DWI traffic enforcement.