To:   HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL     From:   Acting Chief, Thomas R. Wheatley

                                                                                                            Sara L. Hensley

                                                                                                            Larry Lisenbee

 

   Subject:   SEE BELOW                                               Date:   10-01-03

 

Council District: 3

SNI: Washington

 

 

SUBJECT:  ADOPTION OF APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AND FUNDING SOURCES RESOLUTION AMENDMENTS IN THE GENERAL FUND FOR FEDERAL WEED AND SEED GRANT FUNDS TO SUPPORT EFFORTS IN THE WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

1.      Adoption of the following Appropriation Ordinance and Funding Sources Resolution amendments in the General Fund:

a.       Increase the revenue estimate for Revenue from the Federal Government by $223,384.

b.      Increase the City-wide appropriation to the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department in the amount of $173,384.

c.       Increase the City-wide appropriation to the Police Department in the amount of $50,000.

2.      Reauthorize the following existing positions for the term of the grant: 1.0 FTE Full-time Community Activity Worker and 0.5 FTE Part-time D-benefited Staff Analyst.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

On April 22, 2003, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 71508 (Item 2.11).  The Resolution authorized the City Manager to apply for, accept and execute all documents related to a United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Weed and Seed Grant for the Washington Neighborhood in an amount not to exceed $225,000.  On September 16, we received notice that the City was granted $223,384.  The award period is from October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

This memorandum requests appropriation of the awarded funds to the General Fund.  The Weed and Seed grant works on a cost reimbursement basis.  The City requests quarterly reimbursement from the federal government for all outlays from the previous quarter.  This Weed and Seed grant supports efforts in the Washington neighborhood.

 

The grant is earmarked for “weeding” out crime and blight and “seeding” community services and economic development.  The Washington Neighborhood Weed and Seed Strategy seeks to make lasting, long-term improvements to the community.  The Washington neighborhood focuses on five primary issue areas: reduce gang activity, reduce drug/alcohol activity, improve deteriorated infrastructure, increase family/youth services, and domestic violence prevention.  The following outlines how the funding will be distributed:

Ø      $173,384 to the Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department for Seeding activities

Ø      $50,000 to the Police Department for Police overtime for Weeding activities

 

In order to administer the program effectively, this memorandum requests authorization to continue funding positions created under the previous Weed and Seed grant.

 

A full-time staff member to implement the Weed and Seed program is a requirement of the grant.  PRNS recommends using a Community Activity Worker (position #00013107) to supplement efforts already led in the area by a Community Coordinator dedicated to the larger Strong Neighborhoods Initiative area.  The part-time Staff Analyst (position #00013106) would be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the grant's programmatic progress and budget, applying for additional funding, and maintaining complete records of community outcomes of the program.

 

The City of San José is has received a Weed and Seed grant for the Washington neighborhood for three federal fiscal years.  This is the fourth and final year of Weed and Seed funding for the Washington neighborhood.  The Executive Office for Weed and Seed’s Official Recognition status of the Washington neighborhood expires on January 2004 and as a result, the Washington neighborhood will not be eligible for the fifth year of funding.

 

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

The grant application was coordinated with the Washington Neighborhood Weed and Seed Steering Committee, a body composed of community residents, the City of San José, the County of Santa Clara, the San José Unified School District, the Department Of Justice (DOJ), and local community-based organizations.

 

COORDINATION

 

This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney's Office, the Budget Office, and the Police Department.

 

 

COST IMPLICATIONS

 

The City of San José will be reimbursed for up to $223,384 through the grant award for DOJ and United States Drug Enforcement Agency approved costs.  This grant does not have a matching funds requirement.

 

 

CEQA

 

Not a project.

 

 

THOMAS R.WHEATLEY               SARA L. HENSLEY                        LARRY LISENBEE

Acting Chief, Police Department        Director, Parks, Recreation                Director, Budget Office

                                                         and Neighborhood Services

 

I hereby certify that there will be available for appropriation in the General Fund in the fiscal year 2003-2004 monies, in excess of those heretofore appropriated therefrom, said excess being at least $223,384.

 

LARRY D. LISENBEE

Director, Budget Office