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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Lieutenant Bill Rowley #904
DATE: January 29, 2023
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, the City of Elgin, and Kane County; the participation in the 2023 Edward Byrne memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, and the use of the City of Aurora’s portion toward the Aurora Police Department toward the purchase of water rescue kits.
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, the City of Elgin, and Kane County.
The participation in the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program; and
The use of the City of Aurora’s portion toward the Aurora Police Department’s purchase of water rescue kits.
BACKGROUND:
The FY 2023 Edward Byrne memorial Local JAG program was awarded on September 22, 2023. This year’s award, as determined by a Department of Justice allocation formula includes a total award of $73,248 and is intended to be shared between the City of Aurora, the City of Elgin, and Kane County. Specifically, $50,758 was allocated to the City of Aurora and $22,490 to the City of Elgin. Kane County was categorized as an agency that did not submit the level of violent crime data sufficient to qualify for a direct award and as a result is listed as a disparate agency. Historically, Aurora and Elgin have both shared their portions of this award with Kane County.
Each year, Aurora and Elgin share 30% of their award with Kane County. Using this formula, the 2023 JAG grant would indicate that Aurora will ultimately receive a total of $33,641, Elgin will receive a total of $15,743, and Kane County will receive a total of $23,864.
In order to comply with the requirements of this grant, the City of Aurora will not make payments to Kane County or the City of Elgin prior to receiving proof that those agencies spent funds in accordance with the grant requirements. The City of Aurora will reimburse those agencies and in turn will be reimbursed by the Department of Justice in accordance with the JAG grant guidelines.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Aurora Police Department intends to use the award to fund the purchase of water rescue kits which will be deployed by our first-responding uniformed patrol officers. At present, we have approximately eighty-five squad cars equipped with water rescue kits. This funding will allow us to purchase at least another fifty water rescue kits and replacement parts as appropriate for this program.
Over the past several years, the Aurora Police Department has actively participated in the rescue of near-drowning events within the city. While the Aurora Fire Department maintains exceptional water rescue equipment, in most cases, Aurora Police Officers are first on scene and are often required to take immediate lifesaving actions. These water rescue kits allow our first responding police officers to safely and effectively provide rescue efforts to those who need immediate help.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
We believe that our primary role as Aurora Police Officers is the protection and preservation of life. As such, we aim to make available tools that will allow them to safely and effectively save the lives of those we are sworn to serve.
Aurora Police Officers have utilized these kits in water rescues, and our goal of having one in every marked squad car will ensure that there is no delay in future rescues.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
We respectfully recommend that the Aurora City Council grant approval to enter into an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Aurora, the City of Elgin, and Kane County as required by the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Grant (JAG).
cc: City Council
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, the City of Elgin, and Kane County; the participation in the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program.
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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 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant Program Award, the funds from which will be used towards the purchase of water rescue kits: 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 $73,248 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 that the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, finds as facts all of the preamble recitals of this Resolution and hereby authorizes the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Aurora, the City of Elgin, and Kane County; the participation in the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program; and the use of the City of Aurora's portion toward the purchase of water rescue kits.