Submitted By
Police Chief LaDon Reynolds
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant Application that Focuses on High Visibility Traffic Enforcement During Specific Dates and Times of the Year, Primarily Around National Holidays
End
Overview
Overview
This resolution authorizes staff to submit an application for the IDOT STEP grant that is designed to enhance enforcement efforts aimed at reducing fatalities and serious injuries on some of the deadliest times of the year for vehicle travel. The IDOT STEP grant would fund 100% of the costs associated with these enforcement efforts. Allowable costs include Personnel, Equipment, Supplies, and Indirect Costs.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Resolution
Fiscal Impact
The IDOT STEP grant would fund 100% of costs (primarily Personnel) associated with the holiday enforcement campaigns. Personnel (Officers and Sergeants) are assigned to these enforcement efforts on a voluntary basis and compensated at their hourly overtime rate. The Village would be required to pay up front for all costs and staff then submits claims for reimbursement through the grant, throughout the fiscal year. As such, there is no fiscal impact associated with this grant.
Background
On 17 January 2019, IDOT announced that they will be accepting applications for the FY20 IDOT STEP grant program. Awarded grant projects will receive 100% federal funding for costs associated with the program and there is no local match. Covered costs include Personnel, Equipment (prior approval required), Supplies and Indirect Costs. The IDOT STEP grant has been received annually since 2012.
The goals of the IDOT STEP grant program are:
• Reducing motor vehicle crashes
• Reducing fatalities and injuries
• Increasing the use of occupant protection devices
• Reducing Impaired Driving (DUI)
Funding for this program is limited; current/past participation does not guarantee future funding. Applicant agencies are required to take part in at least 6 mandatory holiday campaigns, as listed below:
• Thanksgiving (Occupant Protection)
• Christmas/New Year’s (Impaired Driving)
• St. Patrick’s Day (Impaired Driving)
• Memorial Day (Occupant Protection)
• Independence Day (Impaired Driving)
Applicant agencies must also conduct the following:
• Pre- and post-enforcement activities (Examples include: news releases, TV interviews, media events, community education)
• Conduct the enforcement campaign for the minimum specified overtime hours. Patrols must be spread out over the enforcement campaign period during times of high crash incidence (as specified by the Grant program)
• Obtain and collect data from the campaign that is then reported to the Grant Program through associated forms
Additional funding is available for optional holiday campaigns (Super Bowl, Halloween) and optional campaigns focusing on Distracted Driving and Speed Enforcement.
New for FY2020, participating agencies can submit reimbursement requests for associated equipment (prior approval from Grant Program required). As part of the Village’s application, a request to purchase 4 handheld radar units is proposed (approximately $4000 total). If approved, the Grant will reimburse the cost of these radar units 100%. This equipment will then be used to assist Officers in their enforcement efforts during grant funded campaigns and throughout the year.
Alternatives
The Village could decline the grant opportunity.
Previous Board Action
N/A
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Should the Village of Oak Park be awarded the IDOT STEP grant, the Village will need to enter into an agreement for this grant.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
N/A