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TO: Mayor Richard C Irvin
FROM: William Hull, Lieutenant
DATE: 08/06/2020
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 2020 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.
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 2020 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.
BACKGROUND:
The FY 2020 Edward Byrne Memorial Local JAG Program application has a due date of August 19, 2020. It is similar to the prior years' Edward Byrne Local JAG Programs. This year an award of 54,670.00, 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, $38,084.00 was allocated to Aurora and the remaining $16,586.00 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 $26,659.00, the amount used by the City of Elgin is $11,610.00 and the amount to be used by Kane County is $16,401.00. 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 intends to use these grant funds to partially fund a Body Worn Camera (BWC) Program. The goal is to purchase BWC's for all officers of the Aurora Police Department as well as create policies on the use of BWC's, video storage and retention. The main goal of a BWC program is to enhance public trust by providing another level of transparency while implementing robust reporting abilities. Another valuable aspect to having BWC video footage is to provide video evidence to our State Attorneys, to assist in the prosecution of criminal cases.
Since the Aurora Police Department does not currently have a BWC program; we are currently in the process researching various manufactures of BWC's to determine the best system to meet our needs and requirements. This includes interfacing with our current squad car video system and our records management system. The goal is to have a BWC manufacturer identified in the coming weeks with the implementation of BWC's by the middle to the end of 2021.
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:
We believe by implementing a Body Worn Camera Program, we will add an additional layer of transparency and enhance community trust. BWC video footage will provide evidence in criminal prosecutions, provide increased officer / citizen safety and provide the Aurora Police Department with a robust mandated reporting ability.
By implementing our Body Worn Camera Program, we are looking to increase accountability and nurture community trust. We are hoping this will foster an environment where the community members will be more willing to cooperate with law enforcement to solve and deter crimes in their neighborhoods.
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 2020 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: Public Health, Safety, and Transportation Committee
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 2020 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.
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 2020 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 $54,670.00 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 2020 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.