TITLE:
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ACCEPTANCE AND ALLOCATION OF CANNABIS TAX FUND GRANT PROGRAM TO ENHANCE TRAFFIC SAFETY
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DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: NICK WILSON, SERGEANT
CONTACT INFORMATION: NICK WILSON (714) 754-4963
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Approve the proposed Resolution No. 2025-XX, which ratifies and accepts a grant award from the State of California - California Highway Patrol (CHP) for the Cannabis Tax Fund Program (CTFGP) and authorize the Interim City Manager or designee to execute the grant documents, including the Grant Agreement, and accept and administer the grant.
2. Approve revenue and expense appropriations in the amount of $225,472 respectively, for the FY 2025-26 CHP CTFGP Grant.
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BACKGROUND:
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) distributes state funding to California law enforcement agencies through the California State Controller’s Office. The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to effectively administer traffic safety grants that deliver innovative programs to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries on California roadways. Grants are used to mitigate traffic safety program deficiencies, expand ongoing programs, and/or to develop new programs. Grant funding cannot replace existing program expenditures, nor can traffic safety funds be used for program maintenance, research, rehabilitation, and/or construction.
The Police Department has been awarded similar grants in the past, which have significantly assisted the objectives of the Traffic Safety Bureau and improved traffic safety for residents and visitors. Traffic safety for vehicular traffic, bicycles and pedestrians is a vital concern as the City promotes a healthy, active lifestyle and active transportation. The Traffic Safety Bureau utilizes enforcement efforts, public awareness campaigns and community events aimed to educate roadway users about traffic safety laws. By prioritizing traffic safety, Costa Mesa strives to make its streets safer and more enjoyable for all residents and visitors.
ANALYSIS:
The Police Department has been approved for a $225,472 traffic safety grant. This is the first Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) grant awarded to the Costa Mesa Police Department. The funds associated with the grant will be used to purchase specialized equipment and will fund personnel overtime related to targeted traffic operations. The Traffic Safety Bureau will administer this grant and will strategically use funds to create safer roadway environments and reduce fatal and injury traffic collisions. This will be accomplished by meeting the Grant objectives, which include highly visible targeted enforcement operations and public awareness focused on driving under the influence education and enforcement.
Driving under the influence (DUI) continues to be a leading cause of traffic-related injuries and fatalities, posing a serious threat to the public’s safety. To mitigate the prevalence of DUI, a combination of prevention, enforcement, and education is crucial and will be a goal of this grant. Grant funding will be utilized for saturation patrol operations, which will allow officers to specifically and proactively conduct DUI enforcement and to remove DUI drivers from our communities’ roadways before they cause a collision.
To assist with these efforts, the grant will fund a DUI enforcement truck that will expand the Police Department’s available fleet of emergency vehicles. The grant will also fund a roadway messaging board that will be utilized for public education and messaging about traffic safety. The funded truck will also be utilized for deploying the messaging board trailer.
Additionally, the grant will fund educational programs in the community. Specifically, the grant funds personnel costs for the “Know your Limit” program. For this program, police personnel will coordinate with local bars and will engage the community and utilize mobile breath devices so they can be educated on their blood alcohol level and whether they are within the legal limit to drive.
The FY 2025-26 CHP CTFGP Grant will enable the Police Department to build upon successes achieved to date, while providing new objectives for increasing traffic safety throughout the City.
The specific objectives outlined in the FY 2025-26 CHP CTFGP Grant agreement include:
• Conduct eight (8) community educational events “Know Your Limit” campaigns, increasing awareness of driving under the influence.
• Conduct 40 DUI saturation patrols too reduce DUI/DUID deaths or bodily injury, which will improve roadway safety in the community.
• Purchase one DUI enforcement vehicle/tow vehicle.
• Purchase one message board for DUI Checkpoints and Educational messaging.
FY 2025-26 CHP CTFGP Grant funding is based on the state and local fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2025, and ends on June 30, 2026. The Grant Agreement allocates $225,472, which will be utilized over the fiscal year. FY 2025-26 CHP CTFGP Grant will reimburse the City for approved grant expenditures throughout the grant period.
Although the majority of the FY 2025-26 CHP CTFGP Grant is designed to support enforcement efforts with the goal of reducing injury traffic collisions, the Traffic Safety Bureau recognizes that it is only through enforcement and education combined that we can fully realize this goal.
The Traffic Safety Bureau will continue to work collaboratively with the City’s Transportation Services Division to identify hazards which can be mitigated through environmental design. Additionally, City departments will continue to promote traffic safety education through public service announcements and social media.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may elect not to accept the grant; however, the Department would not be able to pursue the specific goals outlined in the grant.
FISCAL REVIEW:
Upon acceptance of the FY 2025-26 CHP CTFGP Grant, revenue and expense appropriations in the amount of $225,472 respectively will be established in the State Grant Fund (Fund 231).
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the FY 2025-26 CHP CTFGP Grant Agreement, proposed resolution, and this report, and has approved them as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item supports the City Council Goal:
• Strengthen the public’s safety and improve the quality of life.
• Maintain and enhance the City’s facilities, equipment and technology.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Approve the proposed Resolution No. 2025-XX, which ratifies and accepts a grant award from the State of California - California Highway Patrol (CHP) for the Cannabis Tax Fund Program (CTFGP) and authorize the Interim City Manager or designee to execute the grant documents, including the Grant Agreement, and accept and administer the grant.
2. Approve revenue and expense appropriations in the amount of $225,472 respectively, for the FY 2025-26 CHP CTFGP Grant.