REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Budget Modification No. 19 to Appropriate $60,000 of California Office of Traffic Safety Grant Funds for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program - Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
Report
GRANT SUMMARY
In September 2014, the City Manager accepted California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant funds in the amount of $60,000 to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Beginning in 2012, DPS' Bureau of Patrol Services, Division of Traffic Safety identified bicycle and pedestrian safety as an area of focus. OTS statistics showed bicycle and pedestrian accidents ranked only second to driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in Sunnyvale. DPS wants to ensure the safety of its residents as they participate in new cycling and walking programs like Safe Routes to Schools, Communities Putting Prevention to Work Obesity Reduction Initiatives, and even Bicycle Parties. All of these programs promote and encourage Sunnyvale's citizens of all ages to "get moving" by bicycle and as pedestrians. DPS applauds these efforts and initiatives; however, the increase in pedestrians and bicyclists requires increased community policing efforts. These efforts are a multi-faceted, holistic approach to reducing motor on pedestrian and motor on bicycle collisions in Sunnyvale. The approach includes:
· Increased educational outreach to middle and elementary students and parents.
· Distributing bicycle helmets to identified low-income students/schools.
· Facilitation of two bicycle rodeos, which are bicycle skills events that provide an opportunity for children to practice and develop skills that will help them become better bicyclists and avoid typical collisions.
· Increased saturation patrols at identified areas and times to coincide with DUI checkpoints.
· Participation in Avoid the 13 saturation patrols, distracted driving campaigns, and back-to-school events. Saturation patrols are a type of targeted enforcement. Specifically, officers are deployed, generally in teams, with a priority focus of identifying and stopping individuals who are operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
· Increased deployment of targeted patrol at identified intersections where pedestrian traffic is heavy.
· Increased patrol for bicycle parties, which are grassroots organized bicycle events that traverse various communities throughout the county and region. They are designed to be inclusive activities that promote safe and fun bicycling in a noncompetitive group setting.
OTS awarded $60,000 in Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grants funds to DPS to fund these activities. There were only 22 STEP grants made statewide.
The Bureau of Police Services, Division of Traffic Safety will be responsible for enforcement and operations. The Bureau of Special Operations, Division of Strategic Services will be responsible for managing the grant.
Granting Agency
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration via the California Office of Traffic Safety
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.1.5 Donations, Contributions and Sponsorships:
The City Manager may apply for grants of any dollar amount, but shall notify the Council when grants are being pursued. Council approval of a budget modification to appropriate grant monies is required before funds can be expended by staff. Such a budget modification shall include the use to which the grant would be placed; the objectives or goals of the City which will be achieved through use of the grant; the local match required, if any, plus the source of the local match; any increased cost to be locally funded upon termination of the grant; and the ability of the City to administer the grant. For grants under the amount of $5,000 that do not have any external reporting requirements or any local match requirement, Council approval of a budget modification is not required. The City Manager is authorized to accept and administratively appropriate the grant funds.
This grant does not meet all of the criteria to be administratively appropriated by the City Manager; therefore a budget modification is required. Grant funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and OTS have external reporting requirements and fall under the federal single audit guidelines.
General Plan, Safety and Noise:
Goal SN-3, Safe and Secure City - Ensure a safe and secure environment for people and property in the community by providing effective public safety response, prevention, and education services.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity does not require environmental review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that it may have a significant effect on the environment. (CEQA Guideline Section 15061(b)(3).)
FISCAL IMPACT
Required Local Match
None
Increased Cost To City Upon Grant Termination
None
This grant provides funding for two bicycle rodeos, enhanced educational outreach, bicycle helmets and other bicycle safety items for low-income elementary and middle school students. The grant also provides funding for DPS personnel to conduct additional focused enforcement at high risk intersections and corridors.
Budget Modification No. 19 has been prepared to appropriate California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant funds in the amount of $60,000 to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety to a new project, FY 2014/15 OTS Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety.
Budget Modification No. 19
FY 2014/15
|
Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
General Fund |
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
California Office of Traffic Safety |
$0 |
$60,000 |
$60,000 |
|
|
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
|
New Project - FY 2014/15 OTS Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety |
$0 |
$60,000 |
$60,000 |
|
|
|
|
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve Budget Modification No. 19 to appropriate California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant funds in the amount of $60,000 to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety to a new project, FY 2014/15 OTS Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety.
Staff
Prepared by: Ann Durkes, Manager / BA II
Reviewed by: Frank J. Grgurina, Chief of Public Safety
Reviewed by: Grace K. Leung, Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Robert A. Walker, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager