Item 08 - Consideration of Application for 2019 Justice Assistance Grant From U.S Department of JusticeAGENDA ITEM NO.8
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
DATE: August 12, 2019
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David Carmany
Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATION FOR 2019 JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve the 2019 Justice Assistance Grant application, totaling $18,809,
for future grant purchases of law enforcement supplies, and authorize the City Manager (or his designee) to execute
all grant related documents.
DISCUSSION:
In 2005, the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), within the U.S. Department of Justice, combined several
grant programs and created the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). According to federal requirements, this grant must
be used to meet local law enforcement needs, and cannot be used to supplant existing funds or ongoing activities
budgeted elsewhere. The U.S. Department of Justice requires that the City Council consider and approve the grant
application at an open meeting before the application is submitted online. The City of West Covina is eligible for a
total of $18,809 under this 2019 Justice Assistance Grant. With the City Council's approval, Police Department
staff can complete the grant application process by the federal deadline of August 23, 2019.
With the grant purpose areas and restrictions in mind, the Police Department prioritized a list of unmet law
enforcement supply needs in anticipation of this grant. In total, these supplies cost $18,809 (the exact grant amount
for which the City is eligible), and include the following items:
• Cartridges and batteries for non -lethal weapons;
• Investigation tools that retrieve digital and cellphone data;
• Computer software associated with the City's Computer Aided Dispatch & Records Management System
(CAD-RMS) and the National Incident -Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
Using 2019 Justice Assistance Grant funds for these supply items meets all requirements from the Bureau of Justice
Assistance. Budget appropriations and purchases under this grant will not be made until the grant application is
completed and approved by the U.S. Department of Justice. The application period concludes on August 23, 2019.
Prepared by: Alex B. Houston, Police Administrative Services Manager
Additional Approval: Richard Bell, Chief of Police
Additional Approval: Robbeyn Bird, Interim Finance Director
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
If approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, the City of West Covina will receive $18,809 in 2019 BJA Justice
Assistance Grant funds to meet unfunded law enforcement supply needs. There is no local match requirement,
and no cost to the City General Fund. Budget appropriations and purchases under this grant will not be made
until the grant application is completed and approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES: Enhance Public Safety