REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, Acting City Manager
VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Sgt. Michael Thomas and Ingrid Ono
Subject:
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Approve and accept the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant to provide overtime to combat impaired driving; and, authorize the Chief of Police to execute agreement and approve appropriation and expenditure of funds
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Statement of Issue:
In October 2024, the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) received notice from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) that the City of Huntington Beach was awarded a new one-year traffic safety grant aimed at combating impaired and unsafe driving practices. The OTS Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant (Grant Number PT25100) provides funding in the amount of $820,000 to reimburse costs associated with Sobriety/Driver License checkpoints, two full-time DUI officer positions, multi-faceted traffic enforcement details, radar guns for motor officers, and the development of artificial intelligence technology to detect impaired drivers. These events are designed to reduce traffic collisions, injuries, and fatalities through enforcement, education, and media attention.
Financial Impact:
This one-year reimbursable grant is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety in the amount of $820,000, which is to be expended between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. The appropriation request is fully offset by the grant revenues.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve and accept the STEP grant agreement between the California Office of Traffic Safety and the City of Huntington Beach for $820,000; and,
B) Authorize the Chief of Police to execute the grant agreement with the California Office of Traffic Safety; and,
C) Approve appropriation and estimate revenue source in the amount of $820,000.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The City of Huntington Beach has always been concerned with the safe and efficient movement of vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic on our highways, streets and bike paths. Funding the proposed project aims to reduce the incidence of unsafe driving practices and DUI-related accidents and arrests in the community by focusing on two key areas: education and enforcement. This grant will allow for to use progressive and innovative enforcement techniques to increase unsafe driving and DUI enforcement efforts and provide for more coverage with two full time officers dedicated to DUI enforcement.
The proposed funding would be used to increase traffic enforcement actions and identify behaviors that contribute to the root causes of collisions. Further, the HBPD would like to provide additional methods of education to residents and inform them that careless and negligent behaviors will result in drastic consequences to themselves, their passengers, or other affected citizens in and around our City’s roadways.
This grant will reimburse the City of Huntington Beach for expenditures associated with Sobriety/Driver License Checkpoints, two full time DUI officers, and a variety of traffic related details. OTS will administer and handle the grant funds for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.
Patrols will be conducted at high-risk times and in high-risk areas where DUI offenses are more likely to occur. By increasing the presence of law enforcement in these areas, the project aims to deter DUI offenders and reduce the incidence of DUI-related accidents and arrests.
Overall, the proposed project will employ a dual strategy targeting both DUI enforcement and education for law enforcement personnel. By equipping officers with specialized training in DUI detection and intervention techniques, the initiative aims to bolster the effectiveness of DUI saturation patrols and enhance overall police readiness. This focused approach is expected to directly contribute to a reduction in DUI-related incidents, thereby increasing safety and accountability within the community.
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. Grant Agreement for OTS STEP Grant #PT25100