CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: June 10, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Application for FY09 Justice Assistance Grants
TARGET ISSUE:

STATEMENT OF ISSUE

The City of Tallahassee has received notice from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that the City of Tallahassee and Leon County are eligible for a combined award of $216,501 through the FY09 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program awarded directly from DOJ, and a combined award of $820,284 through the FY09 Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant Program awarded by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) as pass-through Federal funding. As in previous years, the JAG program requires the City of Tallahassee and Leon County to submit joint applications. To meet this stipulation, representatives from Leon County and the Police Department have reached a consensus concerning the allocation of the JAG funding. Of the $1,036,785 combined award amount, the recommended allocation is $622,071 for the City of Tallahassee and $414,714 for Leon County. The City of Tallahassee will serve as the lead agency for the JAG grant awarded directly from the U.S. Department of Justice and Leon County will serve as the lead agency for the Recovery Act JAG pass-through grant awarded by FDLE.

The JAG program also requires that eligible jurisdictions provide public notification of how JAG grant funds will be allocated. The Police Department requests approval to apply for the FY09 JAG grant and the FY09 Recovery Act JAG grant based on the recommended allocation of funding and requests that the City Commission hold a public hearing to meet the notification requirements.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Approve Option One: Provide approval to apply for the FY09 JAG grant and FY09 Recovery Act JAG grant based on the recommended allocations of funding and schedule a public hearing on June 24, 2009 for the FY09 JAG grant to meet Federal program requirements.

FISCAL IMPACT

The FY09 JAG grant and FY09 Recovery Act JAG grant awards totaling $1,036,785 require no match. The Office of Budget and Policy has reviewed this request and it meets budgetary guidelines.

Dennis M. Jones, Tallahassee Police Department

Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager

For information, please contact: Gary Williams, 891-4416

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES

In accordance with JAG program requirements, the City of Tallahassee, as the governing body of the jurisdiction responsible for administration of the FY09 JAG grant awarded directly from the U.S. Department of Justice, must review the application, approve the allocation of funds, and provide the application to the public for review and comment prior to receipt of the grant award.

Similarly, in accordance with Recovery Act JAG program requirements, Leon County, as the governing body of the jurisdiction responsible for administration of the FY09 Recovery Act JAG grant awarded by FDLE as a Federal pass-through, must review the application and approve the allocation of funds prior to receipt of the grant award. This review is scheduled as a part of the Board of Commissioners’ meeting on June 26, 2009.

Funding from these grants is recommended to be utilized as follows:

Use of grant funds allows the department to continue existing programs and to improve organizational efficiency and capability without impacting the General Fund. Anticipated benefits include:

• Upgrades to surveillance equipment and recorders enhance evidence-gathering capabilities and provide a digital media that is compatible with the latest technology.
• New forensic lab equipment will process evidence quicker which can be crucial in apprehending suspects and solving crimes.
• Personal protective equipment is replacement equipment issued to officers that would be used in the event of environmental contamination.
• Funding for mobile data computers will be used to replace in-field computers that are at the end of their useful life cycle.
• Wireless air-card services allow the department to continue to utilize cellular network services and retain in-field access to critical law enforcement applications for two additional years once project funds are depleted.
• The electronic workforce mangement project involves the selection and implementation of a comprehensive productivity software package to optimize scheduling, communication, and deployment of department personnel. Utilization of the system will improve workforce efficiency, control labor costs, and ensure compliance with labor laws, union rules, and organizational policies.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

Policy is not applicable to a request to apply for grant funds.

OPTIONS

1. Provide approval to apply for FY09 JAG grant and the FY09 Recovery Act JAG grant based on the recommended allocations of funding and schedule a public hearing on June 24, 2009 for the FY09 JAG grant to meet Federal program requirements.

Pros
· Provides funding to the City of Tallahassee for the purchase of items that support the continuation or enhancement of law enforcement programs.
· Provides funding to Leon County Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of Mobile Data Computers

Cons
· None

2. Modify the funding recommendations to support other eligible program expenditures.

Pros
· Allows the City Commission to address issues that may be of higher priority.

Cons
· Modification to the recommended funding allocation requires City and County approval. Delays in the application process could result in the City of Tallahassee and Leon County forfeiting the FY09 JAG award.