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PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED USE OF THE 2020 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended, at the conclusion of the public hearing, that the City Council adopt a resolution:
1. Accepting the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant 2020 allocation in the amount of $331,346;
2. Approving Amendment No. 9 to the Interlocal Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Stockton and County of San Joaquin to reallocate the 2020 JAG funds;
3. Amending the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Annual Budget to increase the Police Grants & Special Programs revenue and expenditure appropriation by $331,346; and
4. Authorizing the City Manager to execute all grant award documents as required by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance and accept applicable terms and conditions.
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Summary
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the 2020 funding allocation for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. This year, the City of Stockton (City) and San Joaquin County (County) are eligible to receive a combined allocation of $331,346, with the City’s allocation at $168,986 and the County’s allocation at $162,360. Due to this disparate allocation, wherein the County’s allocation is smaller than the City’s, the granting agency mandates that the City and County meet and agree to a redistribution of funds. Since 2011, the City and County have allocated this funding per the terms of an Interlocal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the operation of a county-wide Firearms Reduction Consortium (FRC). On July 27, 2020, representatives from the County Agencies and the Stockton Police Department (SPD) agreed to amend the MOU to reallocate the 2020 JAG program funding, as indicated in the proposed Amendment No. 9 to the MOU (Exhibit 1 of the Resolution). The City’s revised allocation will be $168,986, and the County’s $162,360. No other changes to the MOU are recommended at this time. The granting agency requires a public hearing to be held to allow for public comment and testimony on the proposed use of funds.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City has received JAG program funds since 1997, with the specific goal of helping local government combat crime and improve public safety.
Eight specific law enforcement-related categories of programs are eligible for the use of these grant funds:
A. Law enforcement
B. Prosecution and court
C. Prevention and education
D. Corrections and community corrections
E. Drug treatment
F. Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement
G. Crime victim and witness
H. Mental health and related law enforcement and corrections
In 2011, following the approval of an MOU concerning the City’s and the County’s use of these grant funds, City staff and representatives from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, and the District Attorney’s Office agreed to establish an FRC due to the prevalence of illegal firearms in the greater-Stockton area. As the City and County continue to demonstrate prudent financial decisions following fiscal struggles, a concentrated effort to reduce firearms would be impossible without grant funding.
Amendments No. 2 through 8 to the MOU have been approved to set each year’s allocation of funds between the grantees based on the allocations provided through the U.S. Department of Justice and for the purposes of continuing to operate the FRC.
Present Situation
The JAG program is allocated based on a formula of population and violent crime rate. Cities receiving a formula allocation larger than their County (referred to as disparate status) can modify the formula allocation to accommodate the jurisdiction’s particular needs. Grant guidelines mandate that the City and County participate in a joint planning process and agree on a final funding split. Reallocating the disparate formula allows the City to contribute more towards its share of the high cost of services placed on the County District Attorney, the County Jail, and the County Probation Department.
The FRC provides funding for:
1. Overtime staffing costs for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, and the SPD to fund at least four proactive firearm missions each year;
2. A portion of a Deputy District Attorney assigned to prosecute persons determined to be associated with illegal guns; and
3. Long-term surveillance, including registration of phone lines and data retrieval on phones confiscated as evidence.
In addition to the four firearm missions conducted in a given year, the Integrated Ballistic Identification Systems (IBIS) equipment is available for use during any firearm investigation by the SPD, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, and the surrounding region as time permits. Current and future uses of the IBIS equipment are coordinated through the FRC, other regional partners, and with federal agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the U.S. Department of Justice.
As part of the grant application, the City and County must agree to distribute the funds and execute an amended MOU outlining the agreed-upon funding split and other provisions associated with grant administration. For 2020, the purpose and use of the funds remain the same; therefore, the straightforward Amendment to the existing MOU outlining the change in the allocation amounts for the upcoming fiscal year is proposed.
Included in the Amendment is the Joint Spending Plan, entitled "Edward Byrne Memorial - Justice Assistance Grant Program 2020 Funding Recommendations." The plan for 2020 follows the same funding strategy set forth in prior years, with the City allocating its share of $168,986 to fund investigations materials, supplies, and overtime costs associated with the joint FRC missions. The County will spend its share of $162,360 on overtime costs associated with joint FRC missions and firearms prosecution.
Publication
The Notice for this public hearing was published in The Record on September 25, 2020.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The combined 2020 JAG allocation is $331,346 for the City and County, which must be used within thirty-six (36) months. The grant does not require a local funding match. For grant tracking and auditing purposes, Police Grants and Special Programs account number 025-2478 will be used for the 2020-21 JAG.
As described above, a revenue appropriation in the amount of $331,346 is needed in Account No. 025-2478-331, and an expenditure appropriation in the amount of $331,346 is needed in Account No. 025-2478-530, with $162,360 allocated to the County and the remaining $168,986 to the City. Funding will be appropriated upon approval from the granting agency.