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Staff Report for a Resolution to Appropriate Asset Forfeiture Funds in the Amount of $185,000 for Police Equipment and Projects in 2017-2018
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SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council approve a resolution to appropriate Federal and State Asset Forfeiture funds from the respective fund balances to purchase necessary equipment and fund projects in Fiscal Year 2017-18.
BACKGROUND
The Police Department has equipment and employee wellness projects it needs to fund with money from the Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund Balance. The projects below all comply with the federal requirements related to the use of these special funds.
Equipment Funding
1. $50,000 to replace officer handguns that have exceeded their useful life, add patrol rifles, and any related firearms equipment;
2. $50,000 to upgrade current Automated License Plate Reader technology. The existing systems have exceeded their useful life and require replacement;
3. $35,000 to purchase two used, undercover vehicles for the Investigations Division;
3. $5,000 for evidence technician cameras and related photographic accessories.
$140,000 Equipment-related appropriation requested
Employee Wellness Funding
1. $30,000 to improve workstation ergonomics by purchasing chairs and sit-stand stations, helping to reduce related injuries and lower the number of worker’s compensation claims for the City;
2. $10,000 for professional development to send at least one police manager to the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF);
3. $5,000 to foster healthier officer lifestyles by outfitting the Police Department’s gym space with free weights and other related gym equipment.
$45,000 Employee Wellness appropriation requested
The Police Department has equipment, software, and community engagement projects that need funding, such that the Police Department recommends an appropriation from State Asset Forfeiture Fund Balance. These projects comply with California’s requirements to “advance public safety” related to the use of these funds.
Equipment Funding
1. $25,000 to purchase technology that will aid in the re-design of the new Crime and Intelligence Unit.
$25,000 Equipment-related appropriation requested
Community Engagement
1. $20,000 to fund community engagement activities with community partners like PilotCity and the Social Hackathon project, the “With a Cop” events, and other community focus groups and outreach events held annually that do not currently have General Fund appropriations; these events facilitate dialogue with the community on how to advance the City Council’s goals of growing community partnerships and providing quality public safety.
$20,000 Community engagement appropriation requested
Analysis
This appropriation of funds will supply sworn police officers with the equipment, supplies, and services necessary for advancing public safety within San Leandro. Such funds are not currently budgeted in the General Fund operating budget of the Police Department in Fiscal Year 2017-18.
The Police Department has until June 30, 2018 to replace the Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR). At that time, the warranties will expire. Staff will recycle those parts that can be salvaged for new systems (e.g. any cameras, camera lenses, housing, etc.), but the operating system will require an upgrade. This investment constitutes a needed upgrade - but not an expansion - of the Department’s ALPR infrastructure.
Other projects do not have enough General Fund appropriations to complete within this fiscal year. The firearms request for appropriations has $30,000 in General Fund appropriations this fiscal year, but it will not be enough to purchase all the firearms needed to outfit all 93 sworn officers and also purchase the remaining rifles and equipment needed.
The Police Department is committed to advancing City Council Goal “C”-providing high-quality public safety by growing our partnership with the community. To that end, the Police Department sees a need to fund additional outreach efforts that enhance engagement about public safety issues of critical importance to 21st Century policing. This effort is part of a broader department strategy of becoming a learning organization and building upon the trust citizens have with the department already.
As part of City Council Goal “C”, the Police Department set a goal to re-design the Crime and Intelligence Unit. The Police Department recently hired a Crime Analyst, and staff now see a need for additional funding to advance current analytical techniques. The department will invest in technology that provides real-time crime dashboards that will be available to both public safety personnel and community members. This Police Department effort also supports City Council Goal “B” by providing a piece of the citywide analytics dashboard.
Not funding these projects will jeopardize operational continuity for the Police Department and place a burden on the General Fund this budget cycle and the next.
Fiscal Impact and Budget Authority
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund with this request. These are restricted funds with specific legal requirements for appropriation. The Police Department is required to spend the money in a way that advances public safety. These projects all comply with that legal requirement.
The Police Department requests a total appropriation of $185,000 from Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund Balance into the following accounts:
1. $130,000 into account #146-21-014-7410
2. $35,000 into account #146-21-014-7510
3. $10,000 into account #146-21-014-7401
4. $10,000 into account #146-21-014-5510
The Police Department requests a total appropriation of $45,000 from State Asset Forfeiture Fund Balance into the following accounts:
1. $25,000 into account #146-21-017-7410
2. $20,000 into account #146-21-017-5510
This appropriation will provide the Police Department with the funding needed to complete these projects as planned in Fiscal Year 2017-18.
PREPARED BY: Scott Koll, Police Business Manager