REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Lieutenant Julio Mendez & Kimberly Rodriguez, Management Analyst
Subject:
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Approve and Accept the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Violence Against Women Act, Law Enforcement Specialized Units Grant (LE24026601) and approve a three-year contract with Waymakers for 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 $203,142 Cal OES Law Enforcement Specialized Units grant to help fund the Victim and Witness Assistance Services Program (“Program”) managed by Waymakers. City Council is requested to approve and accept the grant award for 2025; approve a three-year contract with Waymakers for the continued management of the Victim and Witness Assistance Services Program; and approve the compensation for Waymakers in the amount of $116,031 for services rendered through calendar year 2025.
Financial Impact:
To receive the Cal OES grant, the City must provide a match of $67,714, which has been budgeted in HBPD General Fund Account Number 10070203.
The cost for the Program in 2025 is $270,856, with the grant award offsetting $203,142 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.
Upon receipt of the Cal OES grant funds, sufficient appropriations will be made available to fund the Waymakers contract into 2025.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Accept the Law Enforcement Specialized Units grant between the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the City of Huntington Beach in the amount of $203,142;
B) Assign authority to the Chief of Police as the official to execute and sign for the award and to approve appropriations, amendments, and extensions;
C) Approve the appropriation and expenditure of $270,856 of which $203,142 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) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk execute an Agreement between the City of Huntington Beach and Waymakers for Victim and Witness Assistance Services Program in the amount of $116,031.
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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. Most of this grant funding of $270,856 (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 HBPD proposes contracting with Waymakers for Victim Advocate services. Funding 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 funds for 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 program, 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 for three-years, with current funding through December 31, 2025, and the cash match of $67,714 is located within the existing Police Department budget.
Environmental Status:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 8 - Public Safety, Strategy A - Community-wide comprehensive risk reduction program to optimize public safety's emergency response and reduce the number of calls.
Attachment(s):
1. Notice of Intent to Fund via CalOES
2. Waymakers Contract
3. Waymakers Certificate of Insurance