CC - Item 2A - Public Hearing to Consider Citizen's Option for Public Safety Funds staff eport
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
FROM: FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER A(C
DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 1999 "``DODO____
RE: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER CITIZEN'S OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
(COPS)FUNDS
In 1996,the California Legislature approved AB 3229 (Brulte) allocating$100 million additional
funding for local police services. Since then the funding has been renewed by the Legislature and
the City of Rosemead is likely to receive some State funding for such services in the foreseeable
future. The Citizens' Option for Public Safety (COPS), or"Brulte," funds are very similar to the
federal Local Law Enforcement Block Grant(LLEBG)funds currently received by the City through
the Department of Justice. Both funding sources may be used to pay for any "frontline police
services,"as long as the funds are not used to supplant existing services.
Since 1996,the City of Rosemead has been in the unique position of having access to more public
safety grant funds than it could reasonably spend for viable programs. Accordingly,the City has held
its Brulte funds in reserve until it expended its first allocations of Federal law enforcement block
grant funds. The City currently holds in reserve $379,375 in unexpended Brulte funds. That total
represents the past three-years' allocations to the City. The County Supplemental Law Enforcement
Oversight Committee,however,which oversees the distribution of the State funds,has indicated that
it may consider rescinding funds held in reserve if cities choose not to expend the funds in a timely
fashion. In response,staff has developed the several programs and potential expenditures that would
enable the City to use the funds efficiently.
During the remainder of the current fiscal year, staff proposes an expenditure of $126,000 for
following: (1)a computer upgrade and purchase program for Rosemead deputies($41,000); (2) On-
board camera equipment for all patrol vehicles used in Rosemead ($25,000); and (3)the purchase
of a vehicle and necessary equipment to be used for a commercial vehicle enforcement program
($60,000). The latter will enable to deal more effectively with oversized vehicles and semi trucks
and trailers parked in the City. The$126,000 total represents the first year allocation of Brulte funds
to the City.
COUNCIL AGENDA
SEP 2 81999
ITFP4 [�o I
Citizens' Option for Public Safety Funds
September 22, 1999
Page 2.
During the following two fiscal years (FY 2000/01 and FY 2001/02), staff tentatively recommends
using the funds for overtime purposes only. However, that may be revised as the City reconsiders
its priorities during the next two years.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct the required public hearing, allocate the necessary
Citizens' Option for Public Safety(COPS) Funds from unappropriated reserves and approve the law
enforcement equipment purchase outlined in the staff report for FY 1999/2000.
staff-memm,niuops fgt