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, Fiscal Year 2024 SB 224 Catalytic Converter Grant Program on behalf of the New Braunfels Police Department for personnel and equipment costs; 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:
New Braunfels’ City Council strategic priorities include using a variety of funding sources for operational and capital needs. As such, Staff recently applied to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, Fiscal Year 2024 SB 224 Catalytic Converter Grant Program to request funding on behalf of the New Braunfels Police Department (NBPD) for personnel and equipment costs.
If awarded, the grant will provide funding for the personnel costs of two officers to be assigned to NBPD’s Street Crimes Unit (SCU). The SCU is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of law enforcement efforts in New Braunfels, particularly in addressing street-level crimes such as the theft of Catalytic Converters. These grant-funded officers will play a pivotal role in extending the operational abilities of the SCU, ensuring that proactive policing measures are maintained during all hours of the day and night. By providing these additional personnel, this funding will facilitate targeted enforcement activities aimed at the thefts of Catalytic Converters, as well as other criminal activity occurring within the city, thereby contributing to the overall safety and security of the community. Grant-funded personnel costs will include the officers’ base salaries, fringe benefits, uniforms and issued equipment, and vehicles.
The grant will also provide funding for an assortment of costs for license plate readers (LPRs), including the installation of City-owned pole-mounted LPRs, the purchase and installation of additional new pole-mounted LPRs, and the purchase of multiple mobile LPRs that will be positioned within several areas of the city and relocated as-needed based upon criminal and law enforcement activities. These readers will help identify vehicles associated with known offenders of Catalytic Converter theft, enabling law enforcement to swiftly intervene and prevent further crimes. By leveraging this technology, NBPD aims to increase the rate of theft recovery while simultaneously improving the clearance rate of cases and increasing the number of arrested individuals.
City staff recently submitted a grant application for a total amount of $686,748, consisting of $419,166 allocated to personnel costs for two officers, and $267,582 allocated to the purchase and installation of license plate readers. The granting agency will provide funds for 100% of the total amount therefore, there is no City-match requirement.
If approved, the grant will be awarded by April 2024.
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:
Submission of the grant application described above supports the City’s Strategic Priorities as follows:
Use a variety of funding sources for operational and capital needs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The granting agency will provide reimbursement of all awarded costs; there is no City-match requirement.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a resolution; ratification for the submission of an application to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, Fiscal Year 2024 SB 224 Catalytic Converter Grant Program on behalf of the New Braunfels Police Department for personnel and equipment costs; 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.