REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Partner with the County of Santa Clara on an Award of Funding from the California Department of Justice to Combat Tobacco Related Challenges in the Community Not to Exceed $27,680 and Approve the Related Budget Amendment
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
Approved by voters in 2016, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Prop. 56) increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products by $2.00 and established a Tobacco Enforcement Grant Program, administered by the California Department of Justice (DOJ). The Office of the Attorney General established the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant program in 2017 to provide annual funds to local enforcement agencies throughout California. Activities associated with the Tobacco Grant were funded by Prop. 56.
In FY 2018/19, the Police Department was awarded $441,510 in DOJ funding during the inaugural Memorandum of Understanding period, June 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020. The Police Department's application included a number of education and enforcement initiatives in an effort to combat tobacco related challenges in our community.
The grant period overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic with the Police Department discontinuing all county-wide traffic enforcement details, special enforcement activities and grant initiatives as a result of the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department's (PHD) Health Orders. Grant activity did not resume during the grant period which expired on June 30, 2020.
Despite the halt to grant related enforcement action, it should be noted over this grant cycle, the City of Santa Clara adopted a Smoking and Tobacco Regulations Ordinance expanding smoking restrictions in many public areas and multi-unit residences. In addition, the Police Department conducted inspections and enforcement operations, disseminated community messages an...
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