12 Staff Report - Provide Funding for 2 Full-Time Motorcycle Police Officers
DATE: TO: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT January 20,2009 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 1120/09 ITEM NO: FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUED
USE OF SUPPLEMENTAL LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUNDS (SLESF) TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR TWO (2) FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICERS ASSIGNED AS MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC OFFICERS RECOMMENDATION: 1. Open
public hearing to adopt resolution authorizing the continued use of Supplemental Local Law Enforcement Funds (SLESF) to provide funding for two (2) full-time police officers assigned
as motorcycle traffic officers. 2. Close Public Hearing. 3. Adopt resolution BACKGROUND: In July 1996, the California Legislature passed, and the Governor signed AB 3229, known as the
"COPS" Act (Citizens Option for Public Safety). In passing this bill, the Legislature declared, "that there is a compelling need for additional resources to be applied at the local level
for the purpose of ensuring public safety.... " PREPARED BY: Scott Seaman Chief of Police Reviewed by: Manager Attorney __Clerk
__Conunumty Development Revised: 1/5/09 11 :21 AM Reformatted: 7/14/99
PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND (SLESF) January 20, 2009 The Legislature allocated $107.1 million for FY 2008-2009 to be distributed
between the counties and cities, establishing the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund. (SLESF). The law required that this fund be used exclusively for front line municipal police
services, and that a written request for the use ofthese funds be submitted by the Chief of Police. Last fiscal year, the Los Gatos Town Council took action on December 5, 2007, by approving
SLESF funds for two full-time motorcycle traffic officers. DISCUSSION: SLESF funds may be used only to supplement, not to supplant, the existing Police Department budget. SLESF funds
will enable the department to maintain two motorcycle traffic officers this year. This specialized staffing provides additional public safety services, traffic enforcement and collision
investigation expertise to the residents of both Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. Unlike grant programs which are one-time awards, the "COPS" Act is ongoing and is part of the State Legislature's
yearly budget appropriations in the same way that property taxes, gas taxes, sales taxes, etc., are allocated each year. To that end, fiscal year 2008-2009 SLESF funds were allocated
to the Town of Los Gatos and to the City of Monte Sereno in the amount of $100,000 each. The 2008 Budget Act now requires that COPS payments be distributed in four equal installments
in September, December, March, and June. Consequently, the Town will not receive lump-sum payments as in previous years. California state law requires Town Council action to approve
the use of these funds each year and to send a copy of the report to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office. CONCLUSION: Staffrecommends the continued use of SLESF funds for
two full-time motorcycle traffic officers. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This is not a project as defined under CEQA. FISCAL IMPACT: All revenue related to the Supplemental Law Enforcement
Services Fund will be deposited to account 45001 in program 4050. The Monte Sereno City Council will meet on January 20,2009
PAGE 3 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND (SLESF) January 20, 2009 and will approve using its share of SLESF funds to continue two full time motorcycle
traffic officers in conjunction with the Town of Los Gatos. Monte Sereno's share of SLESF funds ($25,000 each quarter) will be transferred directly to the Town of Los Gatos program 4050
account 45001. All expenditures related to the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund will be charged to programs 4050. Grant funds will cover approximately two-thirds oftotal position
costs. ATTACHMENTS: Resolution authorizing use of SLESF funds DISTRIBUTION: General Distribution
RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AUTHORIZING THE CONTINUED EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM THE SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND FOR TWO ADDITIONAL
POLICE OFFICERS TO BE ASSIGNED AS MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC OFFICERS WHEREAS, Chapter 6.7 of Division 3 of Title 3 of the Government Code was amended with the Governor's approval of Assembly
Bill 2885; and WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is entitled to receive approximately $100,000 under the tenns of the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund if specified requirements
are met as well as $100,000 from the City of Monte Sereno under the tenns of the fund; and WHEREAS, the State funding cannot be used to supplant current Town costs for law enforcement
and must be expended exclusively for front-line police services; and WHEREAS, the Town Council has considered the written request separate and apart from the allocation of general funds
for police services; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos, County of Santa Clara, State of California, as follows: 1. The Town Manager is directed
to continue the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) within the Town for receipt and disbursement of money received from the County Supplemental Law Enforcement Services
Fund. 2. The Town Manager is directed to promptly remit to the General Fund all funding deposited in such SLESF fund for the additional funding of two Police Officer positions to be
assigned as motorcycle traffic officers.
3. The Town Manager is directed to submit reports concerning the expenditure of SLESF funds to the Santa Clara County Supplemental Law Enforcement Oversight Committee. PASSED AND ADOPTED
at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos, California, held on the COUNCIL MEMBERS: AYES: NAYES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: CLERK ADMINISTRATOR, TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA day of , 2009 by the following vote: SIGNED: MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA