REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Ingrid Ono, Executive Assistant
Subject:
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Approve and accept the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Violence Against Women Act Grant (LE22066860); authorize the Chief of Police to execute documents; approve appropriations; amend the Professional Services Listing to include provided domestic violence services; and contract Amendment No. 2 with Waymakers, in the amount of $116,032, for continued management of the Victim and Witness Assistance Services Program
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Statement of Issue:
The Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) applied for and received a $203,143 Cal OES grant to help fund the Victim and Witness Assistance Services Program (“Program”) managed by Waymakers. City Council is requested to approve the grant award for 2023 and approve Amendment No. 2 to the City’s existing three-year contract with Waymakers for the continued management of the Program for services rendered through 2023.
Financial Impact:
To receive the Cal OES grant, the City must provide a match of $67,715, which has been budgeted in HBPD General Fund Account Number 10070203.
The cost for the Program in 2023 is $270,858, with the grant award offsetting $203,143 in new revenue. A new grant fund will be established upon approval by City Council, and no additional appropriation of funds is necessary at this time.
The Waymakers agreement is contingent upon receiving the Cal OES grant. Upon receipt, sufficient appropriations will be made available to fund the Waymakers contract into 2023.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Accept the grant between the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the City of Huntington Beach; and,
B) Assign authority to the Chief of Police as the official to execute and sign for the award and to approve amendments and extensions; and,
C) Approve the appropriation and expenditure of $203,143, which is fully reimbursed by the grant from Cal OES. The remaining $67,715 will be funded from existing appropriations in the Police Department’s budget; and,
D) Amend the Professional Services Listing to include provided domestic violence services; and,
E) Approve and authorize “Amendment No. 2” to Agreement Between the City of Huntington Beach and Waymakers for Victim and Witness Assistance Services.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The Police Department applied for and was awarded a grant by Cal OES to prevent, investigate and prosecute crimes involving domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The majority of this grant funding of $270,858 (which includes the $67,715 match), will pay for the services of a Victim Advocate, who assists victims and survivors as they navigate the legal processes including obtaining restraining orders. Additionally, the Victim Advocate provides other support services to victims and survivors including temporary housing placement and referrals to counseling and legal aid. The Victim Advocate is contracted through Waymakers Victim Assistance Program and Interval House. The remaining funds will pay for two part-time domestic violence investigators who perform case follow-up and investigative work related to the domestic violence caseload. These investigators assist a full-time detective, allowing the police department to investigate domestic violence incidents in a timely manner, resulting in improved services to victims and a greater likelihood that future incidents will be prevented.
This collaboration has been in effect since 1998, and since the inception of the Violence Against Women Project, the Advocate position has been continuously funded through a series of grants. The grant also provides for the continued agreement with Interval House, offering priority shelter for domestic violence victims from Huntington Beach and their children on a 24-hour basis. The goal of the programs funded through the grant is to help heal families and thereby stop the cycle of violence. Without this grant, the current “wrap-around” model whereby victims receive services while the Advocate works closely with a Police Department investigator to form a cohesive team throughout the process would not be possible.
The acceptance of the grant will pay for the collaboration involving the Police Department through December 31, 2023, and the cash match of $67,715 is located within the existing Police Department budget.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Financial Sustainability, Public Safety or Other
Attachment(s):
1. Grant award letter and packet.
2. Waymakers Amendment No. 2
3. Waymakers Original Contract and Amendment No. 1