Laserfiche WebLink
IREPORT <br /> To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br /> From the City Manager <br /> <br />January 14,2002 <br /> <br />Subject <br />The proposed use of Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) funds of $153,398 by the <br />Redwood City Police Department. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br />After completion of the public hearing, approve by motion, the recommendation of the <br />Chief of Police to dedicate Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) funds to the salaries <br />and benefits of the new police officer positions approved by City Council pursuant to the <br />staffing study of 1997. <br /> <br />Background <br />For the sixth consecutive year, the Redwood City Police Department has received a State <br />COPS grant. This funding shall become inoperative on July 1, 2002 unless the state <br />legislature acts to extend this grant. These funds may only be used for "front line" <br />municipal police services, such as personnel, equipment, and programs necessary to <br />meet police service needs within Redwood City. The money must be used to supplement <br />existing services and may not be used to supplant any existing funding for law <br />enforcement services. Additionally, the requests from the Chief of Police for expenditure <br />of COPS funds must be considered separate and apart from the process applicable to <br />proposed allocations of the City's general fund, i.e., separately from the general <br />budgetary process. State law requires that the City Council hold a public hearing to <br />consider written requests by the Police Chief for the expenditure of COPS funds. <br /> <br />It is the recommendation of the Chief of Police that this year's entire award be dedicated <br />to the salaries and benefits of the new police officer positions approved by City Council <br />pursuant to the staffing study. <br /> <br />Alternatives <br />The grant funds may be used for any "front line" municipal police services. <br /> <br />Fiscal Impact <br />The COPS grant has no matching fund requirement. The Grant will allow for the <br />funding of new officer salaries and benefits that would otherwise be funded through <br />general fund revenues. <br /> <br />Ed Hernandez -' Carlos G. Bolanos <br />Administrative Sergeant Police Chief City Manager <br /> <br /> <br />