REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Oliver Chi, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Robert Handy, Chief of Police
Subject:
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Approve and authorize execution of Grant Agreement No. PT21028 with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) in the amount of $845,300 for the period 10/1/2020 to 9/30/2021, approve appropriations, and authorize the Chief of Police to establish a separate business unit for the grant funds
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Statement of Issue:
On August 10, 2020, the Police Department received notice from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) that the City of Huntington Beach was tentatively awarded a new one-year traffic safety grant. The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant #PT21028 provides funding in the amount of $845,300. These funds are intended to reimburse our costs associated with Sobriety/Driver License checkpoints, two full-time DUI officer positions, multi-faceted traffic enforcement details, radar guns for moto officers, and funding to develop technology to develop artificial intelligence 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. The amount of $845,300 is to be utilized between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021. The appropriation request is fully offset by this revenue source.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve and accept the OTS STEP grant agreement #PT21028 between the OTS and the City of Huntington Beach for $845,300; and,
B) Authorize the Chief of Police to execute the grant agreement with OTS; and,
C) Approve appropriations and estimated revenue source in the amount of $845,300; and,
D) Establish a separate business unit for this funding and authorize the Chief of Police to expend up to a total of $845,300, plus accrued interest, on the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve this grant agreement and related actions, 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. The City of Huntington Beach is currently going through several redevelopment projects, some of which will add to both seasonal and year-long traffic related issues.
In 2017-2018, DUI arrests increased 17% up from 803 the previous year to 941. This grant will allow us to use progressive and innovative enforcement techniques to increase our DUI enforcement efforts, and provide for more coverage with two full-time officers dedicated to DUI enforcement.
In addition to the DUI enforcement, we will be working to improve our ranking in several of the Office of Traffic and Safety categories. The most recent OTS statistics indicate Huntington Beach is 1st out of 58 comparable cities for juvenile involved bicyclist collisions and 2nd overall for bicyclist involved collisions. Huntington Beach had over 1,400 victims either injured or killed in traffic incidents.
We are seeking to use the proposed funding to increase traffic enforcement actions and work to identify behaviors that contribute to the root causes of collisions. Furthermore, we would like to provide additional methods of education to residents, and inform them that careless and negligent behaviors may result in drastic consequences to themselves, their passengers, or other affected citizens in and around our roadways.
This particular 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.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Enhance and modernize public safety service delivery
Attachment(s):
1. Grant Agreement for OTS STEP Grant #PT21028