City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 17, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of the Submission of a Grant Application for a Reimbursement Grant through the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program.
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application for a Reimbursement Grant through the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve a grant application, submitted June 8, 2020, to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program. The exact amount awarded will be determined by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program;
and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office has applied for and been awarded funding from this grant in previous fiscal years, receiving varying award amounts. The last time the Sheriff’s Office applied for the grant was in 2011. They received 7% of the requested amount.
DISCUSSION: Bulletproof vests are mandatory for all Alexandria deputies when on duty outside of the detention center. Each deputy is issued one fitted vest. The vests have a 5-year life span. The vests are replaced on a corresponding cycle to maintain maximum safety. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program authorizes reimbursement for up to two years after the grant is awarded for vests requiring replacement and anticipated new hires, when part of a mandatory wear policy. The Sheriff’s Office will meet these criteria during Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022.
Due to the Program’s application window, the Sheriff’s Office submitted the application for the grant in advance of the City Council meeting. If Council does not approve the application, the funding will be declined, if awarded.
FISCAL IMPACT: The current cost of ballistic vests under the City’s contract for Sheriff’s Office uniforms and equipment is $590 per unit. The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for budgeting for replacement vests within its annual operating budget for Uniforms and Wearing Apparel. The Sheriff’s Office will replace twenty (20) vests in FY21 and eleven (11) vests in FY22 according to the replacement cycle. The Sheriff’s Office will purchase an additional seven (7) vests for new hires in FY21.
The total cost of these purchases is $22,420. Based on previous awards and the length of time since the Sheriff’s Office last applied for this grant, it is difficult to anticipate the reimbursement funds to be awarded. Although the reimbursement funds awarded may be minimal, participation in the BVP Program will minimize the fiscal impact to the City. Reimbursement funds received from the BVP Program will be deposited directly into the City’s General Fund Account after acceptance and processing by the BVP Program Administrator.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Dana Lawhorne, Sheriff
Sean Kurbanov, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget
Cicely Woodrow, Fiscal Officer, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office
Robyn Nichols, Chief Deputy, Administrative Services Bureau, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office
Sean Casey, Acting Captain, Administrative Services Bureau, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office