From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a Selective Traffic Enforcement (STEP) grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the enforcement of safety belt, child safety seat, speed, intersection traffic control, distracted driving and DWI laws in the amount of $379,219.68
Presenter
Chief Steve Dye and Lieutenant Stephen Davis, Police Department
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The results of special statewide traffic enforcement efforts in Texas and other states confirm that coordinated programs, such as the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), are highly effective in reducing traffic-related fatalities, injuries and costs.
As for the contributing factors of speed and intersection traffic control devices, locally from October 2013 through September 2014, the Grand Prairie Police Department investigated 625 vehicle crashes that involved speed and 391 involving intersection traffic control devices as a contributing factor to the cause of the crash. In the same year, the Department investigated 109 alcohol-related crashes.
The Grand Prairie Police Department has participated in the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program for 25 years. The total grant money addresses primarily seatbelt, child safety seat, speeding, intersection traffic control, and DWI laws.
From October 2013 through September 2014, the TxDOT STEP Grant has resulted in the following grant-related citation totals: speeding (5,522); seatbelt (2,496); unrestrained child (460); intersection control devices (5,740). The total number of citations issued as part of the grant program from October 2013 through September 2014 was 17,561, which includes the above totals and non-hazardous violations. The new grant will fund approximately 7,200 enforcement hours for the department.
The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program benefits the citizens of Grand Prairie by increasing safety belt compliance and reducing the number of crashes caused by excessive speed, disregarding traffic control devices, and alcohol consumption.
The Public Safety, Health and Environmental Committee reviewed this item on August 31, 2015 and recommended that it be forwarded to the City Council for approval.
The Finance and Government Committee reviewed this item on September 1, 2015 and recommended that it be forwarded to City Council for approval.
Financial Consideration
The grant period begins October 1, 2015, and ends September 30, 2016. It is anticipated the total cost for the City during this period will amount to an equal cash match of $189,608.84. Funding is available in the FY 2016 General Fund budget. The Texas Department of Transportation will fund $189,608.84 to pay the City for overtime salaries and benefits for enforcement efforts. Project cost will total $379,219.68.
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, IN SUPPORT OF A TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GRANT FOR SAFETY BELT, CHILD SAFETY SEAT, SPEED, INTERSECTION TRAFFIC CONTROL, AND DWI ENFORCEMENT TO BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL
Whereas, the Grand Prairie Police Department wishes to participate in an intensified enforcement of safety belt, child safety seat, speed, intersection traffic control and DWI laws;
Whereas, the City will provide a cash match of $189,608.84 to the Texas Department of Transportation;
Whereas, in the event of loss or misuse of Texas Department of Transportation funds, the City of Grand Prairie assures that the funds will be returned to the Texas Department of Transportation in full;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas that:
Section 1. the City Manager of the City of Grand Prairie is empowered to accept, reject, alter or terminate this grant on behalf of the City Council;
Section 2. this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in accordance with the Charter of the City of Grand Prairie and it is accordingly so resolved.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 1st DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2015.