The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the electronic application for and acceptance of grant funds through the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) for the FY2022 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Traffic Safety Grant. If awarded, TXDOT will provide $999,999.29 in grant funding. No cash match is required by the City, but an in-kind contribution of $305,759.71 is required. The grant period becomes effective October 1, 2021 and ends on September 30, 2022.
HPD will utilize the grant to fund overtime for personnel over the 12 month-period to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities by increasing and sustaining high visibility enforcement of DWI laws, occupant protection laws, speed-related laws, intersection traffic control laws, and state and local ordinances on cellular and texting devices. The City's in-kind contribution consists of the associate costs for using HPD vehicles for the grant program (maintenance, gas, mileage) and the fringe benefit costs of HPD classified personnel working under the grant program.
The Houston Police Department also requests City Council to authorize the Chief of Police or his designee to act as the City’s representative in the application process with the authority to apply for, accept and expend the grant funds as awarded, and apply for, accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, to extend the budget period, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all related agreements with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant not to exceed five years.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Troy Finner
Chief of Police