AgdaPkt 2002-11-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager November 4, 2002 Subject Proposed use of Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) funds of $151,555 by the Redwood City Police Department. Recommendation After completion of the public hearing, approve by motion, the recommendation of the Chief of Police to dedicate the funds to the salaries and benefits of the new police officer positions approved by City Council pursuant to the staffing study of 1997. Background For the seventh consecutive year, the Redwood City Police Department has received a State COPS grant. These funds may only be used for "front line" municipal police services, such as personnel, equipment, and programs necessary to meet police service needs within Redwood City. The money must be used to supplement existing services and may not be used to supplant any existing funding for law enforcement services. Additionally, the requests from the Chief of Police for expenditure of COPS funds must be considered separate and apart from the process applicable to proposed allocations of the City's general fund, i.e., separately from the general budgetary process. State law requires that the City Council hold a public hearing to consider written requests by the Police Chief for the expenditure of COPS funds. It is the recommendation of the Chief of Police that this year's entire award be dedicated to the salaries and benefits of the new police officer positions approved by City Council pursuant to the staffing study. Alternatives The grant funds may be used for any "front line" municipal police services. Fiscal Impact The COPS grant has no matching fund requirement. The grant will allow for the funding of new officer salaries and benefits that would otherwise be funded through general fund revenues. Ed Hernandez Ronald R. Ma[usza~ Ed E~erett Administrative Sergeant Deputy Police Chief City Manager