cover
TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: William Hull, APD Lieutenant
DATE: August 30, 2018
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, Kane County and the City of Elgin; the participation in the 2018 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program; and the use of the City of Aurora's portion toward the Aurora Police Department equipment purchases. (Public Hearing at City Council on September 25, 2018).
PURPOSE:
To obtain the City Council's approval of a proposed resolution that would authorize the following:
- The execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, Kane County and the City of Elgin
- The participation in the 2018 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program; and
- The use of the City of Aurora's portion toward the Aurora Police Department equipment purchases.
BACKGROUND:
The FY 2018 Edward Byrne Memorial Local JAG Program application has a due date of August 22, 2018. It is similar to the prior years' Edward Byrne Local JAG Programs. This year an award of 67,317.00, as determined by the JAG formula, was allotted for the City of Aurora, the City of Elgin and the County of Kane to share. More specifically, $48,739.00 was allocated to Aurora and the remaining $18,578.00 allocated to the City of Elgin. Kane County was categorized as an agency that did not submit the level of violent crime data to qualify for a direct award and as a result was listed as a disparate agency. As such, it was expected that Aurora and Elgin would share their portions of the award with Kane County. In fact, before the award could be given to Aurora and Elgin, a Memorandum of Understanding needed to be signed by a Kane County official, and an Elgin official and an Aurora Official.
Historically, the City of Aurora and the City of Elgin have each shared 30% of their award with Kane County. Using this percentage, the amount of the award to be used by the City of Aurora is $34,117.00, the amount used by the City of Elgin is $13,005.00 and the amount to be used by Kane County is $20,195.00. To comply with grant requirements, the City of Aurora will not make any payments to Kane County or the City of Elgin prior to receiving proof that those agencies spent funds in accordance of the grant requirements. The City of Aurora will reimburse those agencies and then be reimbursed by the Federal Government in accordance with the grant rules.
DISCUSSION:
The Aurora Police Department would like to purchase equipment items with these grant funds. The first project is to purchase two Kubota 1140 RTV Utility Vehicles. The Police Department intends to use these vehicles for many different events and details, throughout the year. Aurora has an ever expanding downtown area with many outdoor public events, these events range from parades, concerts and outdoor markets. With the need for heightened security at these and many other events we are deploying more officers and resources each year. These utility vehicles would carry up to 5 officers as well as equipment, supplies and crowd / traffic control barricades. Additionally, the Police Department has 4 K-9 units, these highly trained dogs have a short run time or duration given the task at hand. We intend to also use these utility vehicles for the transport of our K-9 officers and dogs as well as possibly using them in tactical scenarios with our Special Response Team. These utility vehicles would allow police the ability to reach remote and limited access locations with greater ease and efficiency. The cost for two Kubota 1140 RTV Utility Vehicles is estimated at $31,000.00.
The second project is the purchase of three Specialize Pitch Men Sport Police Bicycles. The Police Department has a number of officers who are certified bike officers. We utilize bicycle patrol throughout the city to be more visible in neighborhoods as well as for downtown patrol during special events. Our bike officers also work with community and youth groups to teach bicycle safety to children and attend neighborhood block parties. A portion of the bicycles the department does possess are in need of replacement due to age and years of wear; that said they are beyond repair.
It should be noted that a requirement of the grant is for there to be a public hearing by the governing body.
When the award is secured, it will be budgeted for in revenue account 101-3536-331-02-01 and the expense account 101-3536-421-50-50.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Adding the Kubota 1140 RTV Utility Vehicles and additional police bicycles would greatly increase the ability for the police department to be more visible in the community thus enhancing public safety and the efficiency of the Aurora Police Department.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The recommendation is that the City Council adopt the attached resolution that would authorize:
- The execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, Kane County and the City of Elgin;
- The participation in the 2018 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program; and
- And the use of the City of Aurora's portion toward the Aurora Police Department equipment purchases.
cc: Alderman O'Connor, Chairman
Alderman Mesiacos
Alderman Bugg
Alderman Mervine, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, Kane County and the City of Elgin; the participation in the 2018 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program; and the use of the City of Aurora's portion toward the Aurora Police Department equipment purchase. (Public Hearing at City Council on September 25, 2018)).
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora is applying for the 2018 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Award, the funds from which will be used towards Aurora Police Department equipment purchases: and:
WHEREAS, a requirement of the grant program is that the City of Elgin and Kane County partner with and be signatory to a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Aurora, and
WHEREAS, the amount sought is $67,317.00 to be allocated to the City of Aurora, the City of Elgin and Kane County per the attached budget detail worksheet; and
WHEREAS, when the City of Aurora's portion of the award is secured, it will be budgeted in revenue account 101-3536-331-02-01 and expense account 101-3536-421-50-50)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, Kane County and the City of Elgin; the participation in the 2018 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program; and the use of the City of Aurora's portion toward the Aurora Police Department equipment purchases.