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Title:
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Ratification of the Filing of an Application for Funds Made Available through the California Office of Traffic Safety, Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant for FY 2015.
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City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 08/25/2014 Item Number: C-3
AGENDA ITEM: Ratification of the Filing of an Application for Funds Made
Available through the California Office of Traffic Safety, Selective Traffic
Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant for FY 2015
Contact Person/Dept.: Sgt. Aubrey
Kellum, Police Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6253
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [ ] Action Item: [ ] Attachments: []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas – City Council (08/19/14)
Department Approval:
Scott Bixby (08/19/14)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (08/15/14)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (08/19/14)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (08/19/14)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council ratify the filing of an application to receive federal
grant funds from the California Office of Traffic Safety, Selective Traffic Enforcement
Program funds (STEP) FY 2015.
BACKGROUND:
In January 2014, the Police Department submitted a grant application through the
California Office of Traffic Safety for a federally funded Selective Traffic Enforcement
Program (STEP) grant for Fiscal Year 2015.
In July 2014, the California Office of Traffic Safety tentatively approved (pursuant to City
Council ratification) the application and determined that Culver City is eligible to receive
STEP funds through a statutory formula that is based on the need for enforcement of
driving under the influence laws, distracted drivers, bicycle/pedestrians education and
enforcement, along with a series of traffic safety education presentations. Culver City is
eligible to receive an allocation of $133,000.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed grant monies will fund DUI enforcement actions through the use of
check points, saturation patrols, and traffic safety education presentations. The grant
also includes funding for enforcement details and educational opportunities that focus
on bicycle/pedestrians issues and distracted driving behavior. The educational City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
component includes public presentations, educational handouts materials, and bicycle
helmet giveaways.
A more proactive approach toward DUI enforcement is a goal within the Police
Department’s current strategic plan. The grant allocates $59,000 toward DUI
enforcement efforts, with additional monies toward educational endeavors. These
monies will afford the Department the opportunity to conduct operations where efforts
are focused specifically on DUI drivers.
The City’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan contains several projects that the City
Council has approved and directed City staff to construct and implement. Projects are
to include safe routes, various paths, and the creation of bicycle friendly streets. The
STEP grant allocates $37,000 toward bicycle/pedestrian enforcement operations. The
grant apportions $2,500 for helmet giveaways with additional funding for educational
materials and presentations.
With the increased use of cell phones, there has been a marked increase in the number
of rear end collisions where the primary causal factor was identified as following too
closely or unsafe speed. And while cell phone use is not always readily identified as a
contributing factor, the California Highway Patrol has established that use of these types
of devices while driving is a factor in a majority of rear-end collisions. The grant
allocates $12,000 toward distracted driver operations.
In the case of this grant, the deadline to submit the program narrative, scope of work
and budget narrative to the California Office of Traffic Safety was January 31, 2014. In
accordance with the City’s Grant Procedures, and in order to ensure the City would
remain eligible for funding under this grant, the Police Department submitted the
required documents to the California Office of Traffic Safety before January 31, 2014 to
meet the deadline.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Culver City is eligible to receive an allocation of $133,000. This is a reimbursement
grant that requires a quarterly reimbursement claims report be submitted to the
California Office of Traffic Safety. The claim is submitted 30 days after the quarter and
the monies are reimbursed to the City 30 days following the approval of the claims
report. No matching City funds are required.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Ratify the filing of a grant application with the California Office of Traffic
Safety, Selective Traffic Enforcement Program funds (STEP) FY 2015;
and,
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents;
and,
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the
City.