CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: December 16, 2015
PREPARED BY: Margarita Balagso, Police Analyst/Police Department
APPROVED BY: City Manager
Title
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESPONSE TEAM GRANT FUNDS FROM COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt resolution accepting Grant Funds in the Amount of $62,500 from Community Solutions for the Domestic Violence Response Team for Fiscal Year 2015/2016.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Enhancing public safety
Preserving and cultivating public trust
2015 Focus Areas
Participate in Regional Issues
REPORT NARRATIVE:
In 2014, the local non-profit organization Community Solutions received a grant award from the California Governor’s Office on Emergency Services (CalOES) to build protocols and practices for responding to domestic violence emergencies through a comprehensive and strategic approach. This grant enhances the existing South County Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) by building the capacity for greater collaboration and coordination between Community Solutions and law enforcement and providing training to police officers and 9-1-1 Public Safety Dispatchers on how to effectively assist victims of domestic violence. Enhanced assistance will connect them with vital resources, thus reducing barriers that victims of domestic violence face in accessing services. The total grant award to Community Solutions is $125,000 per year over 3 years. The funding guidelines require the grant be renewed by the State each year based on performance. In October, Community Solutions received notification the grant was renewed for FY2015/2016. Upon the original grant award in 2014, the City entered into an Agreement with Community Solutions to receive $62,500 per year for three years pending renewal. These funds offset approximately 25% of the salary and benefits of the Police Detective dedicated to domestic violence. Community Solutions’ will portion of the grant funds .10FTE Domestic Violence Program Manager and .5FTE Victim Advocate plus program costs and supplies.
This grant award aligns with the City Council Policy of Enhancing Public Safety. It also supports the Police Department’s 2013-2016 Strategic Plan which calls for Increased Feelings of Safety, Increased Trust and Confidence in the Police Department and Increased Proficiency of Staff. The activities of this grant award contribute to all three of these designated outcomes. Under this grant, Police Officers and Public Safety Dispatchers are trained to better understand and serve victims of domestic violence. Victims of domestic violence will feel safer and more confident in working with law enforcement and Community Solutions to receive wrap-around services that enhance their safety, resulting in a reduction in domestic violence in our community.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Inform
Due to the sensitive nature of the issue of domestic violence, the Police Department has not conducted community engagement regarding the activities associated with this grant. This staff report will serve to inform the community of Community Solutions grant renewal for FY2015/2016.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
City Council could choose not to accept the $62,500 in grant funds from Community Solutions which would impact the General Fund during the current fiscal year. The Police Detective would continue to conduct with activities of the grant as outlined in the Operational Agreement and the City would not receive the contribution toward her salary.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
At its meeting of September 14, 2014, the City Council approved the Agreement with Community Solutions to participate in the DVRT grant as a sub-recipient for three years and accepted grant funding in the amount of $62,500 for FY2014/2015.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
Revenue projections for the grant renewal were included in this year’s budget process in revenue account - 010.37552 (Police Grant). There are sufficient funds in the Police Department’s Special Operations Division budget for the Police Detective’s salary and benefits (Salaries-Safety 010.3245.41160).
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):
Not a Project
The acceptance of grant funds and the work to be done with those grant funds are not a project, as defined in Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
LINKS/ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Existing Community Solutions/City of Morgan Hill Operational Agreement
CalOES Award Letter 2015/2016