REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Appropriation of Asset Forfeiture Funds for Fiscal Year 2019/20 and Related Budget Amendment
Report
BACKGROUND
Asset Forfeiture funds are obtained as a result of narcotic and other criminal investigations. Federal and State authorities allow the Police Department to share in the distribution of funds seized pursuant to judicial and/or administrative actions. The use of these monies is limited to funding law enforcement-related programs or purchases of equipment.
The City has the opportunity to enhance Police Department services by funding the following items (totaling $157,000) with Asset Forfeiture monies. The Police Department has identified the following items, training, or improvements as being necessary to better serve the community by maintaining or improving our current level of service, enhancing our ability to apprehend criminal offenders, or by ensuring a higher degree of officer and employee safety.
DISCUSSION
The Police Department’s Asset Forfeiture appropriation requests for equipment and other law enforcement uses and programs for Fiscal Year 2019/20 are outlined as follows:
1. Undercover Buy Fund $5,000
Monies used by undercover officers during criminal investigations to purchase illegal drugs and other contraband.
2. Conference and Training Funds $15,000
Funds used for up to six attendees (employees to be determined after careful review of course catalog; July 2019) to attend the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in Chicago, Illinois in October 2019. This conference provides some of the best training for law enforcement officials available in the world. Any remaining funds could be used for other recognized law enforcement training and/or conferences.
3. Community Policing, Awards, and Meetings $15,000
These funds will support our community policing projects, awards, recruiting materials and supplies and meetings for the coming year. Uses could include support of our Northside Substation, community events, special awards, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) equipment, recognition supplies (challenge coins, pins and patches), meeting refreshments, and recruiting supplies.
4. Evidence Related Technology $17,000
Technology is constantly changing and the police department needs to have the ability to adapt to emerging technologies. These funds would be used to purchase hardware, software, or other equipment needed to maintain our ability to get data from smart phones, computers, disparate video systems, and other technologies when acting upon a court authorized search warrant or other evidence exception.
5. Canine Replacement, Equipment, and Training $35,000
During this fiscal year it is possible that police canines may need to be replaced. These funds will provide for the purchase of the canines, canine equipment and canine training needs. The training for the dogs and its handlers consists of a four-week basic course and a two-week tracking course. Additionally, the dogs will be trained in narcotics and/or explosive detection.
6. Tactical Equipment and Training for Special Response Team (SRT) $70,000
The police department’s Special Response Team (SRT), commonly known as the SWAT Team, is in need of new equipment and training to remain tactically functional. This new equipment will ensure that our officers have the necessary equipment to safely perform their duties. This equipment includes rifles, ballistic helmets, and helmet mounted communication devices.
All equitably shared asset forfeiture funds comply with the requirements of SB 443.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The purchase of supplies 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 policy making or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this request will provide $157,000 to support enforcement, other programs, and needs in the Police Department without using General Fund monies. Funds were appropriated in the Expendable Trust Fund in FY 2018/19. The recommended budget amendment table below transfers these funds to the Police Operating Grant Trust Fund in order to complete the purchases recommended in this report.
Budget Amendment
FY 2019/20
|
|
Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
|
Expendable Trust Fund |
|
Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Beginning Fund Balance |
$0 |
$157,000 |
$157,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers Out |
|
|
|
|
Transfer to the Police Operating Grant Trust Fund |
$0 |
$157,000 |
$157,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Police Operating Grant Trust Fund |
|
Transfers In |
|
|
|
|
Transfer from the Expendable Trust Fund |
$0 |
$157,000 |
$157,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
Seized Asset Funds |
$0 |
$157,000 |
$157,000 |
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance 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
Approve the Appropriation of Asset Forfeiture Funds in the amount of $157,000 Pursuant to State and Federal Regulations and Related Budget Amendment.
Staff
Reviewed by: Michael J. Sellers, Chief of Police
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager