Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a grant agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the purpose of a STEP grant.
Summary
DATE: October 3, 2023
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Pedro Lopez, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: FY 2024 TXDOT STEP Grant
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Police Department has applied for and received funds to conduct traffic safety education and enforcement through the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) with its Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant in past years. This year, the department applied for funding and was offered a comprehensive STEP grant in the amount of $49,998.00 with a matching requirement of $12,549.50 for a total grant project amount of $62,547.50.
The grant period is for FY2024, ending September 30, 2024. The grant funds will be utilized for additional focused traffic enforcement on an overtime basis; the additional STEP officers will not respond to routine calls for service and will concentrate on concerns with speed, driving under the influence, distracted driving, intersection-related crashes, etc., to impact the safety of the driving community, increase awareness and decrease violations. Additionally, the STEP officers will conduct several public education sessions to further increase the impact on traffic safety.
The matching funds will be provided by in-kind match. The grant allows for matching funds to be calculated based on vehicle mileage, a portion of the salary for the person managing the program and certain fringe benefits.
If approved, the grant would be accepted via digital signature through the eGrants system.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
1.) Decline the grant offer and seek another source of funding to provide these services
2.) Decline the grant offer and do not provide these services
3.) Accept the grant to allow the police department to provide additional traffic safety
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