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Title:
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Public Hearing and approval of the appropriation of the U.S. Department of Justice, Edward
Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program grant funds to improve public safety. Requires a 4/5ths vote.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report|1010|RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council, after a public hearing, consider and approve
the Fiscal Year 2005 – 2006 funding cycle appropriation of the U.S. Department of
Justice, “Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program” (JAG) grant funds for
specific projects to improve public safety.
This is a budget amendment item that requires a 4/5ths vote for approval.
PROCEDURE:
Mayor seeks motion to receive and file the affidavit and notice of publication.
Mayor calls on staff for brief report and/or poses questions to staff.
Mayor declares the Public Hearing open and calls for public comment.
Mayor and Council move to close the Public Hearing.
Mayor calls for staff comment/response to public input.
Council discusses the matter and arrives at its decision.
BACKGROUND:
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program provides
funds to law enforcement agencies to prevent and control crime. JAG merges the
previous Byrne Formula and Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG)
Programs and provides agencies with the flexibility to prioritize needs and to place
grant funds where they are needed most.
Meeting Date: 7/11/05 Item Number: PH-1
AGENDA ITEM: Public Hearing of the City Council of Culver City Regarding the
Proposed Use of Available Funds to Improve Public Safety as a Result of the
Federal “Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program” (JAG).
Contact Person/Dept.: Lt. Ed Baughan Phone Number: (310) 253-6260
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [X] Action Item: [] Attachments: []
Public Notification: Publication in the Culver City News on 7/1/05 and 7/8/05
Master Notification List Date:
Department Approval:
John A. Montanio 6/22/05
CAO Approval:
Jerry Fulwood 6/30/05
City Controller Approval:
Jim Lavery 6/28/05City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report|1010|The Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Formula
Grant establishes a program of criminal justice grants administered by the U.S.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, to aid state and local
governments in implementing effective criminal justice improvement projects. Grant
funds may be used to support projects that improve the prevention, apprehension,
prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of violent crime and drug
offenders. Additionally, law enforcement projects, including officer training, are
eligible for funding.
The Culver City Police Department is eligible to receive $17,026 over a four year
program period. The Department would use an additional $584 from its training
account to fund the one time additional expenses associated with the project above
what the grant monies cover.
The Police Department’s application Number 2005-F1366-CA-DJ was accepted and
the Department approved for funding of $17,026.
PROPOSED USE OF FUNDS
Simunition Training consists of specially modified weapons that essentially shoot a
paint ball type of ammunition that can be discharged in non-confined or confined
areas. They are non-deadly and do not produce injury to people who utilize
approved safety equipment. Instead of officers standing in front of a paper target
and shooting, the officers are acting out real-life scenarios with converted guns that
shoot paint pellets at human targets that shoot back with similarly modified
Simunition guns. The programs typically take place in an abandoned warehouse
where officers perform mock vehicle stops, building searches and respond to
domestic violence disputes. This dynamic, scenario-based training through role
playing helps officers make better decisions. Ammunition and conversion of the
weapons and protective equipment is very expensive
The Department will purchase Simunition approved safety equipment and
Simunitions ammunition to be used to enhance the proficiency of patrol officers.
Currently the Police Department does not have a pistol range and the officers must
travel considerable distance to practice with their weapons. This Simunition training
will allow officers to train at or near the police station under realistic type situations.
This will allow the officers to spend more time in the field on patrol and less time in
traveling to off-site locations for weapons training.City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report|1010|The Department will conduct one additional Simunitions training exercise per year
with the additional grant funding. The funding for this program will come from the
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
Federal funds must be used to supplement existing funds for program activities and
cannot replace, or supplant, nonfederal funds that have been appropriated for the
same purpose.
Length of Award
Awards are made in the first fiscal year of the appropriation and may be expended
during the following 3 years, for a total of 4 years. Extensions beyond this period
may be made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Director of Bureau of
Justice Assistance.
Match
A match is not required with the JAG Program.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The program provides funding in the amount of $17,026 and the Department intends
to utilize an additional $584 from its training budget to cover the one time additional
expenses needed to purchase the required equipment.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve a budget amendment to add new grant revenue (Edward Byrne Justice
Assistance) in the amount of $17,026 and approve the recommendation of the
Culver City Culver City Police Department staff to appropriate the grant funds of
$17,026 in Fiscal Year 2005 to purchase Simunition approved safety equipment
and Simunition ammunition to be used to enhance the efficiency of patrol
officers.
2. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer or his designee to execute and file
documents pertaining to the JAG, including the application, follow-up
documentation, award amendments and other documents needed to implement
the grant programCity of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report|1013|