Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate a California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant in the Amount of $60,000 into Account 150-21-162; and to Execute Grant Agreement No. PT25058
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Public Safety
• Community Engagement and Outreach
SUMMARY
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) actively partners with law enforcement agencies and community groups to enhance roadway safety across the state. Through grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), OTS allocates over $100 million annually to support innovative, evidence-based education and enforcement initiatives aimed at improving traffic safety. The San Leandro Police Department has been awarded a $60,000 grant from OTS to combat hazardous driving behaviors. This funding will facilitate traffic operations, promote regional collaboration within San Leandro, and implement public awareness campaigns focused on educating the public about safe driving practices.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to accept the $60,000 grant award and appropriate funds in the same amount in Account 150-21-162, and to authorize the City Manager to execute all grant documents.
BACKGROUND
On August 28, 1967, California State Governor Ronald Reagan signed Senate Bill 719, which established the California Traffic Safety Program and subsequently the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). This program was created to provide funding to federal, state, and local agencies, with the aim of enhancing traffic safety, reducing the number of traffic accidents, and supporting local highway safety initiatives.
Over the years, OTS has allocated millions of dollars to law enforcement agencies, enabling expansion of programs, and addressing hazardous roadways and trends based upon gathered data, and OTS grant reporting. Annually, OTS develops a Highway Safety Plan (HSP) that reflects current needs and outlines the planned use of federal funding to municipalities and counties across California. The HSP identifies key issues, specific performance measures, proposed solutions, timelines, and fiscal details regarding ongoing and new grants aimed at mitigating traffic safety challenges.
In January 2024, the San Leandro Police Department Traffic Division submitted a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) application to the OTS. This application utilized crash data collected over the past four years and aimed to reduce fatalities and injuries from crashes involving alcohol and other primary crash factors. Following a review by OTS staff, the City of San Leandro was awarded $60,000 to address these issues.
This reimbursable grant is specifically designated for traffic enforcement operations, education initiatives, and other traffic-related mitigating strategies utilized by the San Leandro Police Department Traffic Division.
Analysis
Currently, the San Leandro Police Department Traffic Division is staffed by one officer and one sergeant, who address a variety of neighborhood concerns while investigating major and fatal crashes. However, these limited resources typically hinder the implementation of large-scale, evidence-based traffic operations. The grant award will be allocated for overtime funding, enabling the Department to effectively address roadway hazards and deploy additional officers to address identified primary crash factors and neighborhood complaints.
Financial Impacts
This program will require a Council appropriation of $60,000 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to be allocated into Account 150-21-162. The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant, will offset the program’s costs and will not have a negative impact on the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution OTS STEP Grant Award
Attachment B: OTS STEP Grant Agreement No. PT25058
PREPARED BY: Ryan Gill, Police Sergeant, San Leandro Police Department