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TO: Mayor Richard C Irvin
FROM: Lieutenant W. Hull 954
DATE: 07/23/2021
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 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Local JAG Program application has a due date of August 09, 2021. It is similar to the prior years' Edward Byrne Local JAG Programs. This year an award of 60,790.00, 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, $41,664.00 was allocated to Aurora and the remaining $19,126.00 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 $29,165.00, the amount used by the City of Elgin is $13,388.00 and the amount to be used by Kane County is $18,237.00. 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 City of Aurora Police Department intends to use the award to purchase six (6) night vision devices for our Special Response Team (SRT). Currently we don’t do not have any department purchased night vision devices for the team. A few of the SRT officers have purchased their own night vision devices to enhance their visual awareness when conducting nighttime operations. Having night vision capabilities gives officers on the team the tactical advantage to assess and appropriately address potential threats and operate in a nighttime scenario. Having the ability to see in the dark also greatly increases officer safety as well as the safety of others; to include citizens and offenders.
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 providing night vision devices to our Special Response Team will greatly enhance the team's ability to operate in low light and no light situations. Having the ability to see in the dark allows team members to identify potential threats, persons trying to avoid detection in dark spaces; all while enhancing officer safety, citizen safety, to include suspects and offenders.
With the ability to see in the dark, team members can address situations more quickly and effectively, bringing resolution to an incident.
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 2021 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 2021 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 2021 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 $60,790.00 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.