TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all necessary documents with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, to receive and expend grant funding in the amount of $259,000, for a period of one year, for the FY 16 State and Community Development Award; and
Increase appropriations in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Development Services Department (DV) by $259,000. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In May 2014, the City Council approved the adoption of the Safe Long Beach Violence Prevention Plan (Safe Long Beach). At the direction of President Obama, the Departments of Justice and Education launched the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention (Forum) to begin a national conversation concerning youth and gang violence and prevention, raise awareness, and elevate the issue to national significance. In November 2014, the City Council formally accepted the first Forum grant of $20,000 and its designation to reduce violence, improve school attendance, and encourage innovation at the local level. The City Council accepted the second Forum grant of $279,000 in November 2015. To further existing Forum efforts, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is again supporting localities presently implementing the Forum with funding to enhance efforts to adopt practices and implement models to achieve violence prevention objectives. To this end, OJJDP has awarded the City of Long Beach with one new grant: the FY 16 State and Community Development Award in the amount of $259,000.
The State and Community Development Award allows the City to begin expanding and enhancing the Safe Schools strategy under Safe Long Beach. This proposed enhancement will engage the Long Beach Unified School District, the City Prosecutor, residents, businesses, and the faith community in a strategic process to improve attendance and reduce truancy and subsequent delinquent behavior. As part of this partnership, the Long Beach Unified School District will receive a portion of the State and Community Development Award funds in the amount of $134,000.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard F. Anthony on October 11, 2016 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on October 12, 2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 1, 2016, to allow timely implementation of the program activities.
FISCAL IMPACT
The grant award totaling $259,000 is not currently budgeted. Therefore, an appropriation increase in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Development Services Department (DV) is requested. There is no match requirement for this grant. The grant award for the State and Community Development Award will cover the salary of one full-time employee for one year and services related to the delivery of violence prevention services. There is no local job impact as a result of this recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER