Agenda Item # 7

Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting

June 14, 2016

Agenda Report # 138


TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: FY16 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant

INITIATED BY: Finance
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and accept, if awarded, an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) grant for the Federal Fiscal Year 2016 solicitation in the amount of $93,124, or as otherwise awarded, with no local match requirement, to be used by eligible departments as follows: Columbus Police Department - $48,934, Juvenile Drug Court - $14,190, and Adult Drug Court - $30,000, for eligible projects as defined in the grant, and to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the award.

Background: The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program replaced the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant program in the Federal Fiscal Year 2005. The Columbus Consolidated Government is on the list of awardees for the annual local solicitation. The grant does not have a local match requirement. Eligible projects for the grant fall into the following categories: Law Enforcement, Prosecution and Courts, Prevention and Education, Correction and Community Correction, Drug Treatment, and Planning, Evaluation and Technology Improvement.

Analysis: All city departments involved in law enforcement, prosecution, or courts are eligible to use these grant funds. The list of departments who will be allocated funds from this grant and the dollar amounts and purposes is attached at the end of this report. The grant requires that the local government’s governing body be notified of the application of this grant at least 30 days before the grant can be awarded. The grant also requires that the public be notified of the intent to apply for this grant and be allowed an opportunity to review and comment on the application.

Financial Considerations: The amount that the Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible to apply for is $93,124. There is no local match requirement. The city will have four years in which to complete the expenditures for this grant.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The grant will bring in $93,124 to the Multi-Governmental Fund over a four-year period, with most of the activity expected during the first two years. The General Fund will not be affected.

Legal Considerations: The Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible to apply for this grant award with Council approval. Council must approve the application for and acceptance of all grant awards and the Mayor, as Chief Executive Officer, or her designee, must sign all required contracts, reports, and certifications. Upon signing, the City will be obligated to the U.S. Department of Justice to comply with the terms and conditions of the grant contract.

Recommendation/Actions: Accept and approve the application and subsequent award of the 2016 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $93,124, or as otherwise awarded, and amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the award.


FY16 Grant Allocation:_____________________________________
Juvenile Drug Court $14,190 Surveillance

Adult Drug Court $10,000 Ankle bracelet monitoring
20,000 Part-time lab tech

Columbus Police Department $48,934 Three license plate readers

TOTAL $93,124


A RESOLUTION
No. _____

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OR HER DESIGNEE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR, AND IF AWARDED, ACCEPT A 2016 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,124, OR AS OTHERWISE AWARDED, WITH NO LOCAL MATCH REQUIREMENT, TO AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARD, AND TO ALLOCATE THE AMOUNT AWARDED AS FOLLOWS: COLUMBUS POLICE DEPARTMENT - $48,934, JUVENILE DRUG COURT -$14,190, AND ADULT DRUG COURT - $30,000, FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTION AND COURT PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE GRANT.

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance has announced potential formula grant awards for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program FY 2016 Local Solicitation. This grant supports a broad range of activities for the prevention and control of crime and to improve the criminal justice system. These funds can be used for local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, as well as research and evaluation activities that will improve or enhance: law enforcement programs; drug treatment and enforcement programs; planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation); and,

WHEREAS, the Columbus Consolidated Government is eligible to receive $93,124 in funding with no local match requirement; the City Manager solicited funding requests from all interested departments eligible to receive funding from the grant, met with heads or representatives of these departments to determine the best usage and allocation of these funds, with the finalized allocation attached to this resolution; and,


WHEREAS, the grant requires that the governing body be notified of the application at least 30 days prior to the award of the grant funds, and an opportunity for public review and comment be given; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

___________________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the _________ day of _____________ 2016, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
_____________ members of said Council.


Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Garrett voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Turner-Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.

_____________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor