PRESENTER: Presenter
Jennifer Gates, Grants Coordinator
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a resolution; ratification for the submission of an application to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, FY 2026 SB 224 Catalytic Converter Grant Program on behalf of the New Braunfels Police Department for costs to combat catalytic converter theft; and authorization for the City Manager or authorized designee to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant if awarded.
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DEPARTMENT: Police
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City’s adopted 2024-2029 Strategic Plan includes objectives pertaining to public safety and fiscal sustainability. As such, Staff recently applied to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA), FY 2026 SB 224 (SB224) Catalytic Converter Grant Program on behalf of the New Braunfels Police Department (NBPD) to request their continued financial assistance for grant-funded salaries, equipment, and miscellaneous program-support costs which have been critical to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of local, regional, and State law enforcement efforts in the detection and prevention of the theft of catalytic converters, and associated street-level crimes.
If awarded, the grant will provide continued funding for the personnel costs of two officers assigned to NBPD’s Street Crimes Unit (SCU), contract costs for the current provider of fixed and mobile license plate readers and surveillance cameras, a new forensic image-capturing system for use by NBPD’s Crime Scene Technicians when processing evidence, and miscellaneous eligible expenditures that support the program such as travel costs for staff to attend required conferences and supplies and salary costs for catalytic converter etching events.
City staff recently submitted a grant application for $526,468, of which the City will provide up to 20% in required matching costs that will be paid from the General Fund, and all other eligible costs will be reimbursed by the granting agency.
If approved, the grant will be awarded by August 2025.
Staff is also requesting City Council approval of a resolution, as required by the granting agency, that will authorize our City Manager or an authorized designee to act as the authorized official on behalf of the City in all matters related to this grant. The designated authorized official is given the power to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate the grant on behalf of the applicant agency.
ISSUE:
The City’s adopted 2024-2029 Strategic Plan includes objectives pertaining to public safety and fiscal sustainability. Therefore, the contract described within this agenda item will support the use of awarded grant funds for eligible costs incurred by the New Braunfels Police Department.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
(Organizational Excellence) Considering statutory and market-based factors, continue to diversify revenue streams to support long-term fiscal sustainability of the Organization. (Community Well-Being) Continue to develop alternative public safety deployment strategies that align to call type and statutory requirements to allow for efficient use of current and future staff resources.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If awarded, the City match requirement will be up to 20%, and the balance of eligible costs will be reimbursed by the granting agency; the matching amount will be incorporated into the City’s FY 2026 Adopted Budget after notification of award. Therefore, sufficient funds will be available to support the cost of all activities as described above.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a resolution; ratification for the submission of an application to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, FY 2026 SB 224 Catalytic Converter Grant Program on behalf of the New Braunfels Police Department for costs to combat catalytic converter theft; and authorization for the City Manager or authorized designee to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant if awarded.