May 10, 2005

SUBJECT:      Acceptance of the California Office of Traffic Safety Seat Belt Compliance Campaign Mini Grant for Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Budget Modification #32

REPORT IN BRIEF

The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety has been selected to receive $39,968 as part of the California Traffic Safety Seat Belt Enforcement Program for Local Law Enforcement Agencies.  This is an overtime reimbursement grant for the Public Safety Department to conduct a seat belt enforcement program over a three week period in May 2005.  The grant also reimburses for administrative and support staff costs.

Staff recommends that Council authorize Budget Modification No. 32 to accept funding from the California Traffic Safety Seat Belt Enforcement Program for Local Law Enforcement Agencies which will be budgeted into a new special project.

BACKGROUND

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is a state agency charged with reducing fatalities, injuries and economic losses resulting from the operation of motor vehicles.  The California Traffic Safety Seat Belt Enforcement Program is designed to increase seat belt usage in California to 94 percent in 2005 through the combined efforts of local law enforcement agencies, California Highway Patrol and OTS. The goal of the grant is to focus public information and enforcement on persons who fail to use seatbelts during the May 2005 Buckle Up America/ Operation ABC National Mobilization.

EXISTING POLICY

4.1 Law Enforcement Sub-Element

Goal 4.1A: Provide a safe and secure environment for people and property in the community.

Policy 4.1A.5: Facilitate the safe movement of pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles.

Action Statement 4.1A5h: Participate in prevention and enforcement activities directed at minimizing personal injury in traffic collisions.

DISCUSSION

The OTS is offering local law enforcement agencies overtime grants to conduct seatbelt enforcement for a 21 day period - May 16 through June 5, 2005. The grant will reimburse overtime costs generated for the seatbelt enforcement period. DPS will conduct pre and post enforcement surveys to determine seat belt compliance before and after the enforcement period. The 3-4 hours of staff time spent conducting the two surveys is not reimbursable and will be absorbed within the existing DPS budget.

The seat belt enforcement program will be conducted during daytime hours where the use of seatbelts can be readily observed. The Sunnyvale Traffic Unit will choose an area to target based on accident rates.  The grant award will fund approximately 400 hours of lieutenant and officer overtime  and 116 hours of administrative support overtime.

FISCAL IMPACT

Council approval of Budget Modification #32 will create a project for overtime reimbursement. This project will be fully funded by the OTS Seat Belt Enforcement Program Grant for Local Law Enforcement Agencies and will track overtime costs associated with conducting the 21 day enforcement period.  There will be very minor fiscal impact to the DPS budget of approximately $400 (staff time mentioned above). 

BUDGET MODIFICATION No. 32

FY 2004/2005

Conclusion

Acceptance of this grant funding will enable DPS to help bring Seat Belt compliance up to the State of California goal of 94 percent.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City’s web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and Office of the City Clerk.

ALTERNATIVES

1.      Council approves Budget Modification No. 32 to accept the California Traffic Safety Seat Belt Enforcement Program for Local Law Enforcement Agencies in the amount of $39,968 and directs staff to appropriate funds in a special project to track both expenditures and reimbursement of costs.

2.      Council does not approve Budget Modification No. 32 and declines the California Traffic Safety Seat Belt Enforcement Program for Local Law Enforcement Agencies in the amount of $39,968.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that Council approve Alternative #1.

Reviewed by:

Don Johnson, Director of Public Safety

Prepared by: Craig Farley, Acting Captain

Mary Bradley, Director of Finance

Approved by:

Amy Chan

City Manager