August 18, 1998
SUBJECT: Traffic Collision Records Database Project - Budget Modification # 4 –
RTC #98-282
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Sunnyvale has been awarded a $ 51,736 grant from the State of California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for upgrading the City’s traffic collision records system, including purchase and installation of GIS-based software. In October, 1997, the City and the State executed a funding agreement for this project, but funding to the State from the Federal government was not made until the recent passage of the Transportation Equity Act (TEA 21). At this time, the State Office of Traffic Safety has informed the City of the availability of funds. Staff therefore is recommending approval of a budget modification to incorporate $ 51,736 in State OTS funding for a previously approved Traffic Collision Database Project. No new City funding is required for this project.
BACKGROUND
The City Council approved submitting of a grant application for a Traffic Collision Records Database Project in January, 1997.
A grant was awarded in June, 1997. This project will upgrade the City’s traffic collision records system. This project is supported by Law Enforcement Sub-Element policies 4.1A.5c and d, "Provide vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian accident analysis to determine common locations and causes so as to properly plan selective enforcement," and Land Use and Transportation Element policy C3.4.7, "Conduct periodic analyses of roadway facilities and collision data in order to assure traffic safety."Currently, the Traffic Engineering Division manually analyzes collision reports received from the Department of Public Safety and processes them using an outdated computer filing program. This program does not have any analytical features and is below the industry standard for collision record keeping.
The project proposal involves automation of the traffic collision records program by purchasing software and associated training. The new software will establish a collision records database and will allow analysis of individual and collective collision records using personal computers. It is anticipated that the collision records database would be accessible by multiple City departments as necessary.
Execution of a Project Agreement with the State was approved by Council on October 28, 1997 and executed by the Director of Public Works.
DISCUSSION
Passage of the federal transportation funding bill in May, 1998 provided the State with funding for Office of Traffic Safety grant projects. The State has informed the City it can proceed with the project. A budget modification in the amount of $ 51,736 is requested to incorporate this revenue into the budget and to enable staff to proceed with this project.
BUDGET MODIFICATION No. 4
FISCAL YEAR 1998/99
| Current | Increase | Revised | |
| Expenditures: | |||
| Traffic Collision Records Database | $0.00 | $ 51,736 | $51,736 |
| Revenues: | |||
| State of California Office of Traffic Safety | $0.00 | $ 51,736 | $ 51,736 |
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this budget modification will benefit the City of Sunnyvale by incorporating this outside revenue into the budget for funding of the acquisition of an automated traffic collision system. This grant requires for the city to share in the cost of implementation by providing for the necessary staffing to purchase, install and populate the database. These costs will be absorbed into the existing program budgets for the Traffic Engineering Program (111) and Information Technology (766). On-going maintenance costs for this new system will be offset by reduced costs in the existing collision record-keeping system. No new City funds are required for this project.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Posting of the Council agenda. Reports to Council are also available at the City Library and the City’s Web Site.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Budget Modification # 4.
Prepared by:
____________________________________
Jack Witthaus
Transportation Planner
Reviewed by:
____________________________________
Ray C. Williamson
City Traffic Engineer
____________________________________
Marvin A. Rose
Director of Public Works
____________________________________
Shawn Hernandez
Director of Information Technology
____________________________________
Mary Bradley
Director of Finance
Approved by:
____________________________________
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager