HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09011998 - D15 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
CONTRA
FROM. Phil Batchelor - % COSTA
County Administrator _ COUNTY
DATE: JULY 28, '1998;
SUBJECT: LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANTS PROGRAM — FEDERAL
BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE'(BJA)
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. OPEN the public:hearing regarding the proposed use of the Bureau of Justice Assistance
Local Law Enforcement Block Grant award of $207,309 to Contra Costa County; hear
public testimony; CLOSE the public hearing.
2. AUTHORIZE County Administrator or his designee to sign and execute any related grant
award documents or amendments thereto,
3. DESIGNATE the following previously established Advisory Board as specified by Federal
Bureau of Justice Assistance for project period (10/1198 to 9/30/00) to include Warren
Rupf, Sheriff-Coroner; Gary Yancey, District Attorney; Joe Ovick, Superintendent of County
Office of Education; Jennifer Wiley-Fletcher, Legal Director, Battered Women's
Alternatives; and Peter L. Spinetta, Presiding Judge, Coordinated Trial Courts.
4. AUTHORIZE the advisory board to review the application for funding under the Local Law
Enforcement Block Grants Program and make non-binding recommendations to the Board
of Supervisors for the use of funds received un rlhe Pr
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT:' X YES SIGNATURE: '
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OV B COMMITTEE
4APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON 11' k APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED 'Of44ER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A
_UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN
AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:— ON MINUTES OF THE HOARD OF
SUPERVISORS THE DATE SHOWN.
Contact: George Roemer(335.7055)
CC: CAO-Justice System Programs ATTESTED
Warren Rupf,Sheriff-Coroner PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF
Gary Yancey,District Attorney THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Joe Ovick,Superintendent,COE AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Jennifer Wiley-Fletcher,BWA
Peter L,Spinetta,Presiding Judge,Superior Court
Auditor-Controller BY' UTY
Low
Local Lavin Enforcement Black Grants Program
7/28/98
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Federal funds provided $207,309 under the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants Program
may not exceed 90 percent of the total costsof the program. The County share must be in the
form of cash $23,035. The match can be absorbed within the budgets of the participating
agencies.
REASONS FOR R OM ENDATIONIBACKGROUND:
Contra Costa County was invited to apply to the Bureau of Justice Assistance for a direct award'
of$207,339 under the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants (LLEBG) Program, established with
the Bureau of Justice Assistance'(BJA) under the Fiscal Year 1998 Omnibus Appropriations Act
(108-119). Contra Crista County was awarded the entire $207,309. The County, as recipient,
agreed to provide $23,035 over the grant period in a cash match to be absorbed within the
budgets of the participating agencies. Special conditions required in the grant award include
establishment of a trust fund (114400) in which the Bureau of Justice Assistance will deposit all
payment received under this award and use of the grant award in the trust fund;(including
interest)during the period not to exceed 24 months from the date of the first Federal payment.
The trust fund is an interest bearing account that is specifically designated for this Program.
The County also agreed that prior to the obligation of funds at least one (1) public hearing would
be held regarding the proposed use of the payment under the;,Local Law>Enforcement Block
Grants in relation to its entire budget.
Contra Costa County is proposing to spend the grant and matching funds:in the Block Grant
categories of Law Enforcement Support and Enhancing Adjudication, specifically in the area of
improving the prosecution of domestic'violence cases. Under Law Enforcement Support, Federal
grant funds will be used to pay for a half-time Deputy Probation Officer for a police ride-along.
For enhanced adjudication, Federal grant funds will continue to be used to pay for a Sheriffs
Specialist. The Specialist will be assigned to the Investigations Division and work with a Deputy
Sheriff/investigator and half-time Crime Analyst/Statistician responsible for investigation of major
domestic violence cases, as well as establishing liaison with other divisions and outside agencies.
These additional resources will allow for more emphasis on domestic violence incidents,`
development of increased expertise resulting in better service to victims and improved
prosecution, increased reporting and increased number of prosecutions.
The District Attorney's Office will receive Federal grant funds for continued use of.75' Deputy
District Attorney A-level and one-B-Clerk. These staff positions will become part of the District
Attorney's comprehensive domestic violence prosecution unit(of 4 attorneys, 1°Sr. Inspector, 2.
clerks, and 1 Domestic Violence Counselor at Battered Women's Alternatives (BWA). This entire
unit in FY`1998/99 is grant supported. This unit will be able to handle, on a vertical prosecution
basis, all felony level domestic violence, as well as the most serious misdemeanor cases.. in
addition, staff will be able to coordinate and provide training in conjunction with"BWA to the 25
law enforcement agencies in the County. A full-time victim advocate for BWA fended through the
District Attorney's grants, will provide victim support services through the criminal justice process.