Title
Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grant Application (NB)
This item requests City Commission authorization for the Gainesville Police Department to pursue a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance for a comprehensive DUI project.
Explanation
The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance announced the FY2007 Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program. The City of Gainesville is eligible to receive funding under this program and submitted an application on June 25, 2007. The project included overtime details to conduct DUI Checkpoints, Saturation Patrols, and Preventing Underage Beverage Service (PUBS) Details in bars and restaurants to enforce underage-drinking violations. The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) will provide refresher and advanced DUI investigation training and portable breath tester certification training for officers. The project includes purchasing digital, in-car video cameras and portable breath testers to substantiate DUI investigations and enforce .02 violations on underage drivers who have been drinking. GPD will participate in Spring Break Safety Fairs to provide prevention/education information to students before they go on Spring Break. GPD will also provide DUI Educational Workshops through the School Board of Alachua County and to other organizations that serve at-risk youth. To further public awareness, GPD will produce a special episode of "Police Beat" dedicated to STOP! Drunk Driving. A public awareness campaign will be employed in local media including radio, newspaper, television, student yearbooks and school newspapers.
Fiscal Note
The project total is $119,905.71. A match is not required under this program, but a voluntary match is encouraged as a part of this competitive process. GPD will allocate a $25,000 cash match to be competitive with other agencies applying. Funds for this expenditure are available in the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund and are allowable per Federal 21 U.S.C. & 881, found in the U.S. Department of Justice "A Guide to Equitable Sharing of Federally Forfeited Property for State and Local Enforcement Agencies." The current balance in the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund is $1,474,867.51. The project period for awards under this program is up to twelve (12) months.
Recommendation
Recommended Motion: The City Commission authorize the City Manager to: 1) apply to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance for the grant in the amount of $119,905.71; and if awarded, 2) appropriate $25,000 from the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Trust Fund for the competitive match; 3) accept the $119,905.71 in grant funds; and 4) execute any other necessary documents, pending review by the City Attorney as to form and legality.
Alternative Recommendation
The City Commission decline the request to pursue funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.