REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Eric G. Parra, Interim City Manager
VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Lt. Julio Mendez and Ingrid Ono
Subject:
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Approve and accept the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Violence Against Women Act Grant (LE23 07 6860); authorize the Chief of Police to execute documents; approve appropriations and contract Amendment No. 3 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 2024 and approve Amendment No. 3 to the City’s existing contract with Waymakers for the continued management of the Program for services rendered through 2024.
Financial Impact:
To receive the Cal OES grant, the City must provide a match of $67,714, which is already budgeted in HBPD General Fund Account Number 10070203.
The cost for the Program in 2024 is $270,857, 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 2024.
Recommended Action:
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A) Accept the grant between the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the City of Huntington Beach;
B) Assign authority to the Chief of Police as the official to execute and sign for the award and to approve amendments and extensions;
C) Approve the appropriation and expenditure of $270,857 of which $203,143 is to be fully reimbursed by the grant from Cal OES. The remaining $67,714 will be funded from appropriations in the Police Department’s budget; and
D) Approve and authorize “Amendment No. 3 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 $270,857 (which includes the $67,714 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, 2024, and the cash match of $67,714 is available within the existing Police Department budget for FY 23/24.
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:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Grant award letter
2. CalOES Grant packet
3. Amendment No. 3