AGENDA #4e

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Grant Funds from the United States Department of Justice

 

DATE:             September 9, 2002

 

The purpose of this memorandum is to recommend acceptance of a grant from the United States Department of Justice for three mobile communication terminals for patrol vehicles.  The attached resolution would authorize the acceptance of the funds and the attached ordinance would amend the 2002-2003 Town budget.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In March 2001 the Police Department submitted a grant application to the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services of the United States Department of Justice (COPS More Program).  The grant request was for three mobile data computers to be installed in patrol vehicles.  The request included laptop computers, modems, and associated software. Adding three mobile communication terminals would increase the number of vehicles so equipped to eighteen.

 

In October 2001 we were notified that the grant had been awarded to the Town.

 

The project budget for the grant is:

 

Total Project Cost                    Federal Share               Town Share

      $40,737                             $30,750(75%)             $9,987(25%)

 

DISCUSSION

 

Mobile communication terminals were installed in police patrol vehicles in early 2001.  Fifteen vehicles were outfitted using grant funds from the Governor’s Crime Commission and Town funds.  The computers have become an essential tool for officer safety, efficiency, and communications.  The use of mobile communication terminals:

 

·          reduces voice communication on the police radio;

·          allows officers to have direct contact with the State to obtain driver license and license plate information;

·          allows officers to retrieve data from the Police Department records system, including outstanding warrants, criminal histories, and mug shots;

·          allows car-to-car messaging for secure communication; and

·          officers can enter reports into the records system while remaining in their patrol areas.

 

The matching funds of $9,987 are available in the 2002-03 Police Department budget.  Increasing the number of mobile communication terminals through grant funding will enable us to outfit vehicles and establish a staggered replacement cycle.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Manager to accept $30,750 from the United States Department of Justice for the purchase of three mobile communication terminals for police patrol vehicles.

 

That the Council adopt the attached budget ordinance amending “The Ordinance Concerning Appropriations and the Raising of Revenue for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2002.”

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO ACCEPT $30,750 FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR THE PURCHASE OF THREE MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINALS FOR POLICE PATROL VEHICLES (2002-09-09/R-3)

 

WHEREAS, the use of mobile communication terminals in police patrol vehicles has become an essential tool for officer safety, efficiency, and communications; and

 

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Justice has awarded $30,750 to the Town towards the purchase of three mobile communication terminals and the Town’s share will be $9,987; and

 

WHEREAS, adding three mobile communication terminals would increase the number of vehicles so equipped to eighteen;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to accept $30,750 from the United States Department of Justice for the purchase of three mobile communication terminals for police patrol vehicles.

 

This the 9^th day of September, 2002.

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND “THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS AND THE RAISING OF REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2002 (2002-09-09/O-4)

 

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, 2002” as duly adopted on July 26, 2002 be and the same is hereby amended as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

                                                  Current                                                                       Revised

APPROPRIATIONS                  Budget                Increase           Decrease                  Budget

 

                                                                                         

GENERAL FUND

     Police                               9,025,238                  30,750                                      9,055,988           

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

REVENUES

 

GENERAL FUND

 

    Grants                                  452,000                  30,750                                         482,750      

 

 

 

This the 9th day of September, 2002.