04-09-18 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Budget Agenda Date Requested: 4-9-18 Source of Funds: Requested By: Ken Adcox Account Number: Department: Police Amount Budgeted: Report: Resolution: X Ordinance: Amount Requested: Exhibits: Resolution for JAG Grant Neighborhood Storefront & Community Outreach Program Budgeted Item: YES NO Exhibits: JAG Grant Application Exhibits SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION The police department has prepared a federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) application to support the s new Neighborhood Storefront & Community Outreach Center on South Broadway. If selected and awarded, the grant would fund the purchase of a computerized child recovery system, which would allow the department to fingerprint and photograph individual children, producing an individualized ID card that would be provided to parents. Should the child be abducted or become missing for any reason in the future, the ID card could quickly be provided to Law Enforcement and would assist in the recovery of lost, kidnapped, or endangered children. The system would be housed full-time at the Neighborhood Center, where parents could drop in with their children during business hours to have an ID made free of charge. The system is also portable enough to be taken to different community venues throughout the year, including National Night Out, neighborhood watch group meetings, community fairs, etc. If selected and awarded, the grant would also fund the purchase of a small electric powered marked vehicle, similar to a golf-cart. The vehicle would be used to patrol various community events where full-sized police vehicles are impractical, such as parades, Sylvan Beach Day, etc. On a day to day basis, the vehicle would be housed at the Neighborhood Center, allowing the storefront officer to quickly and easily traverse the various apartment complexes, walking trails, and neighborhoods in the area. The unique nature and openness of the electric vehicle would also improve interaction and communication with community members as the officer makes his rounds. A total of $16,394.00 is being requested as part of the grant to cover the total cost of both items. Although federally funded, the grant is of Texas. As part of the grant application process, a Resolution is required agreeing to the terms of the grant and designating the City Manager as the authorized official to sign grant documents and accept the grant if awarded. This grant is competitive in nature, and will first be reviewed by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC). If selected and awarded, the grant would be administered on a reimbursement basis, but would require no matching funds on behalf of the City. If the grant is not selected and awarded, the above described items will not be purchased.