REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Accepting the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Grant Related Documents, and Approve the Related Budget Amendment
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) administers the provisions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act in a manner that fosters and protects the health, safety, welfare and economic well-being of the people of the State.
In 1995, ABC embarked on a new approach to broaden and increase the level of alcoholic beverage law enforcement by working in partnership with cities and counties through the Grant Assistance to Local Law Enforcement Program (GAP). The mission of the GAP is to work with law enforcement agencies to develop an effective, comprehensive and strategic approach to eliminating the crime and public nuisance problems associated with problem alcoholic beverage outlets and then institutionalize those approaches within the local law enforcement agencies.
Over the past ten years, the Police Department has been awarded $295,836 from ABC GAP funds to curb alcohol-related challenges in the community (Fiscal Year 2014/15, $75,000; Fiscal Year 2015/16, $92,230; Fiscal Year 2016/17, $49,486; Fiscal Year 2017/18, $79,120). The Police Department did not receive a Fiscal Year 2018/19 and 2019/20 award, and hasn’t been in a position to take on the added workload a grant requires since the onset of the pandemic due to lower than necessary staffing levels and implementation capacity (e.g. Santa Clara County COVID-19 guidelines).
In addition, ABC awarded the Police Department Significant Achievement Awards associated with grant-related work in Fiscal Years 2015/16 and 2016/17.
DISCUSSION
On July 12, 2023, the Police Department was informed its application for Fiscal Year 2023/24 ABC Alcohol Policing Partnership Grant (APP) funding had been approved in the amount of $75,068.
This award is effective from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 and is intended to fund multiple initiatives to curb alcohol-related challenges in our community. The grant objectives include the following to address drunk and drugged activity throughout the City:
• Staff attendance at the APP Conference and conduct “train-the-trainer” type education at Field Operations Division briefings
• Disseminate grant and alcohol-related educational messaging via our web and social media platforms
• Conduct enforcement operations, such as Minor Decoy Operations and Shoulder Tap Operations, to reduce the use of false identification to purchase alcohol and deterring adults from purchasing alcohol on an underage person’s behalf
• Facilitate IMPACT Inspection Operations to address licensing and regulatory mandates among ABC licensed retailers
• Organize bicycle/walking patrols around Santa Clara University, in our public parks and waterways
• Partner with ABC agents to conduct saturation patrols at events at Levi’s Stadium among sidewalk vendors, during the Ordinance pilot period, to address unlicensed entities facilitating the sales of alcohol and drugs
o The cost for ABC agent(s) to conduct saturation patrols is not borne by the ABC grant or Police Department. In the case of this grant objective, law enforcement personnel (e.g., Community Service Officer, Special Event Police Officer or Police Officer) may escort ABC agent(s) on the premises prior to, during and/or following Levi’s Stadium events to conduct routine alcohol/drug enforcement action and address problematic behavior. The associated law enforcement expense will be reimbursed through the ABC grant.
It should be noted, it is not uncommon for the Police Department to apply for grant(s) to secure equipment, conduct enforcement operations and/or pay for specialized training some of which is directly related to having a venue of this size and visibility in our city. In these cases, the grant will reimburse the police officer’s time to ensure we remain in compliance with Measure J.
• Initiate Preliminary Alcohol Screening device education events on ABC licensed premises
• Host an Alcohol Awareness Presentation to middle and high school students and parents
Staff will also be responsible to fulfill the associated grant requirements, such as monthly performance reports, statistical reporting and invoicing.
During the Council summer break, the Police Department met with ABC representatives regarding this grant and the ability to collaborate to enhance our efforts to enforce ABC licensing and regulatory mandates to combat alcohol-related incidents in our community. This Report to Council is intended to adopt a Resolution accepting the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant, authorize the City Manager to execute grant related documents and approve the related budget amendment.
During the Council summer break, the City Manager signed the agreement between ABC and the City of Santa Clara to accept the grant allowing the Police Department to enhance its efforts to enforce ABC licensing and regulatory mandates and combat alcohol-related incidents in our community; this item implements ABC requirements for the adoption of a formal Resolution outlining the terms and conditions of the grant.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
ABC APP grant funding in the amount of $75,068 will create overtime opportunities for Police Department personnel to address education and enforcement initiatives to mitigate the crime and public nuisance challenges associated with alcoholic beverage outlets. The following FY 2023/24 budget amendment is recommended to recognize and appropriate this grant funding.
Budget Amendment
FY 2023/24
|
|
Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
|
Police Operating Grant Trust Fund |
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
Grant Funding |
$0 |
$75,068 |
$75,068 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditure |
|
|
|
|
Alcohol Policing Partnership Grant 2023/24 |
$0 |
$75,068 |
$75,068 |
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department, Police Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Adopt the Resolution accepting the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant to be utilized to fund a variety of overtime assignments to curb alcohol-related challenges in our community, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all grant-related documents; and
2. Approve the FY 2023/24 budget amendment in the Police Operating Grant Trust Fund to recognize grant funding in the amount of $75,068 and establish an Alcohol Policing Grant Partnership Grant appropriation in the amount of $75,068 (five affirmative Council votes required to appropriate additional revenue)
Staff
Reviewed by: Pat Nikolai, Chief of Police
Approved by: Jōvan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Grant Agreement
2. Grant Agreement Exhibit
3. Resolution