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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2000 1206 CC REG ITEM 09CITrEM 9 ' G 1.'T'i' nF "1007'"RK. CAUFOIINIA citV r.? lo'Z �O o'?000 MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL Re:-d.a "He fj0A-nor J AGENDA REPORT Rv: TO: Honorable City Council FROM: Dana Shigley, Administrative Services Direct Prepared by: Kim C. Chudoba, Senior Managemen alyst/�C G DATE: November 28, 2000 (CC Meeting of 12/6/00) SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE USE OF 1999 AND 2000 LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANTS BACKGROUND The federal Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) approved the City of Moorpark's applications for 1999 and 2000 Local Law Enforcement Block Grants ( LLEBG). A total of $28,168 is available: $15,230 for 1999 and $12,938 for 2000. A 10 percent cash match is required. The goal of LLEBG is to reduce crime and improve public safety. Program awards may be used for any of seven purpose areas: 1. Support law enforcement (i.e., hire new personnel, pay overtime, and procure equipment /technology), 2. Enhance security in schools or special risk areas, 3. Establish or support drug courts, 4. Enhance adjudication of cases involving violent offenders, 5. Establish multi - jurisdictional task forces, 6. Establish community crime prevention programs, and 7. Defray cost of indemnification insurance for law enforcement officers. In the past, the City has used LLEBG funds for various projects, including a DARE Officer, increased police presence during peak crime periods, overtime, training, equipment, and computers. DISCUSSION The City's LLEBG awards must be obligated by December 29, 2000. Before committing the funds, the City must meet the following requirements: CCU05 4 Honorable City Council November 28, 2000 Page 2 1. Establish an advisory board (with representatives from law enforcement, prosecutor's office, court system, school system, and nonprofit group active in crime prevention or drug use prevention) to make non - binding recommendations to the City Council on the use of LLEBG funds. The City's advisory board consists of Carolyn Caston, Deputy Probation Officer, Ventura County Probation Agency; James Ellison, Senior Deputy District Attorney, Ventura County DA's Office; Ron LaGuardia, President, Rotary Club of Moorpark; Captain Frank O'Hanlon, Ventura County Sheriff's Department; and Susanne Smith - Stein, District Coordinator, Moorpark Unified School District. 2. Hold a public hearing on the proposed use of LLEBG funds. To receive the funds, the City must outline the projects that will benefit from the money, which is meant to supplement, not supplant operating funds budgeted for designated projects. The City Council can subsequently opt to redirect LLEBG funds for another approved purpose. The 24 -month expenditure period begins on the payment date to the grantee, and any unspent funds must be returned to BJA. Approved and pending residential, commercial, and industrial development proposals indicate significant growth in Moorpark in the next two to five years. Therefore, staff recommends that the 1999 and 2000 LLEBG awards, combined with funds from the City and other grant sources, be used to supplement front -line law enforcement. Specifically, staff recommends adding one uniformed patrol officer for proactive and directed patrol and response to a full range of calls for service. The LLEBG Advisory Board concurs with this recommendation. If approved by the City Council, this 40 -hour without relief position would be funded for about eight to nine months in Fiscal Year 2001/2002. STAFF RECOHMNDATION 1. Conduct a public hearing, accepting testimony regarding the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants ( LLEBG) as necessary; and 2. Accept the 1999 and 2000 LLEBG awards and direct staff to use the funds to partially fund one new uniformed patrol officer in the City Manager's Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2001/2002.