City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 5, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of the submission of a Grant Application for a Competitive 2022 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant for Law Enforcement Equipment and Training through Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.
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ISSUE: Consideration of the submission of a Grant Application for a Competitive 2022 Byrne/Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for Law Enforcement Equipment and Training through Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve a grant application of $25,000, to be submitted on October 22, 2021, to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The exact amount awarded will be determined by the DCJS; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (ASO) is requesting approval to apply for a competitive grant to assist eligible applicants in procuring law enforcement equipment that improves or enhances the delivery of daily law enforcement services to the community and/or ensures the safety of citizens and officers, and general law enforcement related training courses that improve or enhance daily law enforcement services to the community and/or ensure the safety of the citizens and the agency. Eligible applicants are local counties, cities and towns and public campus law enforcement agencies. Agencies with 50 or fewer officers, and agencies with small or no budgets for training, will be prioritized.
DISCUSSION: The ASO wants to replace the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment in the detention center with a less expensive alternative. SCBA’s have many federal OSHA regulatory requirements. All sworn staff who use the equipment must have a medical evaluation that should be updated every few years. Annual fit-testing is required as well. We have identified an appropriate SCBA alternative, a fire escape hood.
This fiscal year, all of the ASO’s training budget was proposed as a reduction and accepted. ASO relies on annual training for accreditation purposes, infection control, food safety, software programs and leadership skills development, such as FBI-LEEDA, and Positive Intelligence coaching/training.
The total amount ASO will be requesting on the application is $25,000 to cover the equipment and training. This is the maximum allowable request for an applicant.
FISCAL IMPACT: In FY 2022 $1 million is available statewide to support awards ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 through this program. There is a 25% match requirement, which is a significant savings to the City by applying for the grant. Although this is a competitive grant and reimbursement funds awarded may not equal the request, participation in the process provides an opportunity to minimize the financial impact to the City. If awarded the requested amount of the grant, $25,000, the City’s match would be $8,250. (The purchased total cost of items would be roughly $33,000, less $24,750 (75% of cost).) Prior to purchases, ASO will closely monitor and utilize funds from anticipated savings in non-personnel.
ATTACHMENT: 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