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09 Staff Report.SLESF PREPARED BY: Peter Decena Chief of Police Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov TOWN OF LOS GATOS COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: 11/03/2020 ITEM NO: 9 DATE: October 29, 2020 TO: Mayor and Town Council FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager SUBJECT: Adopt A Resolution (Attachment 1) Accepting Funds From the California Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF) of Which $100,000 Will be Directed to Purchase Equipment and Technology and $100,000 Will be Directed Toward the Contractually Required Traffic Enforcement Within the City Limits of Monte Sereno; and Authorize an Expenditure Budget Adjustment in the Amount of $100,000 From Available Capital/Special Projects Reserve. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1) accepting funds from the California Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF) of which $100,000 will be directed to purchase equipment and technology and $100,000 will be directed toward the contractually required traffic enforcement within the city limits of Monte Sereno; and authorize an expenditure budget adjustment in the amount of $100,000 from available Capital/Special Projects Reserve. BACKGROUND: In 1996, California legislation (Assembly Bill 3229) created the Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) program allocating $100,000,000 to local governments yearly for front-line law enforcement. These funds are to be distributed through an established Supplemental Local Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF). State General Fund distribution to local law enforcement agencies are specifically intended for “front-line municipal police services.” COPS funds must be spent on personnel, equipment, or supplies and are not approved for public safety capital improvement or construction projects. PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Adopt a resolution authorizing the continued use of Supplemental Local Law Enforcement Services Funds DATE: October 29, 2020 BACKGROUND (continued): Other COPS funds requirements and restrictions include: • COPS funds shall be used to supplement, not supplant existing funding for law enforcement services. • COPS funds shall be deposited into a separate fund, not intermingled with other monies. • The Town Council shall approve the appropriation of COPS funds pursuant to a recommendation by the Chief of Police. • Each county shall establish a Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund for deposit of State COPS funds and distribution to municipalities. Pursuant to AB 3229, the City of Monte Sereno also receives a share of the state SLESF funds ($100,000). The City of Monte Sereno is required by contractual agreement for law enforcement services to transfer those funds to the Town of Los Gatos within 30 days of receipt of the monies from the State of California. The contract stipulates that the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department will provide an additional 416 hours of traffic enforcement within the city limits of Monte Sereno in exchange for its portion of SLESF funds. The total of $200,000 in SLESF funds ($100,000 from each jurisdiction) has historically been used to supplement the salary, equipment, and training costs of the Town’s only two traffic enforcement motorcycle Officers. Despite this, there is no mandated appropriation of these funds towards the two motorcycle officers. DISCUSSION: In the FY 2020/21 budget, a total of $200,000 in SLESF funds were directed to be allocated to supplement the salary of two traffic enforcement motorcycle officers. The Monte Sereno share of the SLESF monies ($100,000) is contractually obligated to fund 416 hours of traffic enforcement within the city limits of Monte Sereno. This report recommends the use of the Los Gatos SLESF funds that is different from previous years and more consistent with the spirit of the COPS program. Property crime comprises a large percentage of overall crime in Los Gatos. The Police Department is looking at innovative, technology-based means of preventing and solving these types of crimes without increasing sworn staffing levels. The Police Department proposes utilizing the Los Gatos portion ($100,000) of SLESF funds in Fiscal Year 2020/21 to identify and implement equipment and technology that will assist Patrol Officers in property crime prevention. PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Adopt a resolution authorizing the continued use of Supplemental Local Law Enforcement Services Funds DATE: October 29, 2020 CONCLUSION: Staff recommends approval of a resolution (Attachment 1) to use of SLESF funds as follows: • $100,000 of SLESF funds will be directed to purchase equipment and technology that will assist Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Officers in the prevention of property crime. • $100,000 of SLESF funds will be directed toward the contractually required traffic enforcement within the city limits of Monte Sereno. ALTERNATIVE: Alternatively, the Council can continue to use SLESF funds in the same manner as FY 2019/20, supplementing funding for two full-time motorcycle traffic officers. A combined total of $200,000 in SLESF ($100,000 from each jurisdiction) would be used to supplement the salary, equipment, and training costs of the approximately $400,000 expense associated with both motorcycle Officers. If this is the preference of the Council, it should adopt the Resolution contained in Attachment 2. FISCAL IMPACT: If Council approves the proposed recommendation, the Town will continue to receive a combined total of $200,000 in SLESF funding. Per contract stipulation with the City of Monte Sereno, $100,000 of SLESF funds will continue being directed toward additional traffic enforcement within the city limits of Monte Sereno. The remaining $100,000 of Town SLESF funds will be redirected toward the purchase of equipment and technology that will assist Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Patrol Officers in the prevention of property crime. It should be noted that while the redirected funds to enhance property crime prevention would mitigate the need for additional sworn personnel, a $100,000 expenditure budget adjustment from available Capital/Special Projects Reserve is needed to maintain the motorcycle unit program at its current staffing level as identified in the adopted FY 2020/21 Operating Budget. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. Attachments: 1. Resolution authorizing use of SLESF funds (staff recommendation) 2. Resolution authoring use of SLESF funds (alternative)