AGENDA #4i

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Acceptance of Bureau of Justice Assistance Block Grant

 

DATE:             September 27, 2004

 

 

The attached resolution would authorize the acceptance of a local law enforcement block grant from the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance in the amount of $13,068.  The attached budget ordinance would amend the current Grant Fund and General Fund budget to account for this grant.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In June of 2004 the Bureau of Justice Assistance announced the availability of funds for law enforcement agencies in the form of block grants.  These funds were specifically earmarked to reduce crime and increase public safety. The Police Department recently submitted a grant application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance. On July 24, 2004, the Department was notified that the grant request had been approved for $13,068.

 

DISCUSSION

 

This year’s block grant provides local law enforcement agencies funding for training and equipment to reduce crime and to increase public safety.  Funding through the block grant is available to the Town immediately upon acceptance of the grant.  A match of $1,452 is required from the Town.  This match can be provided through the Police Department operating budget.

 

The Town must meet three requirements before the funds can be obligated. 

 

1)  An advisory board consisting of representatives from the local school system, the District Attorney’s office, the local court system, and a community crime prevention group must review the grant application and make non-binding recommendations about the proposed uses of the grant funds.  Those recommendations were received earlier this month.

 

2)  A public hearing must be held to allow citizens an opportunity to express their views on the use of the grant funds.  That hearing was held on September 13, 2004.

 

3)  The Town must accept the grant by returning a signed acceptance form to the Bureau of Justice Assistance. 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the acceptance of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Law Enforcement Block Grant, and enact the attached budget ordinance establishing a Law Enforcement Block Grant project.

 

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT (2004-09-27/R-11)

 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Assistance have made funds available to enhance the quality of law enforcement services provided to local communities; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town’s Law Enforcement Block Grant application in the amount of $13,068 was approved by the Bureau of Justice Assistance; and

 

WHEREAS, the block grant funds would be used to provide training and equipment to reduce crime and increase public safety;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to accept the Bureau of Justice Assistance Law Enforcement Block Grant and to make all necessary assurances.

 

This the 27th day of September, 2004.

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND “THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS AND THE RAISING OF REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2004” (2004-09-27/O-1)

 

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Budget Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Concerning Appropriations and the Raising of Revenue for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2004” as duly adopted on June 14, 2004 and the same is hereby amended as follows:

 

This the 27th day of September, 2004.