CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA




 Agenda Date:          April 19, 2021

 Action Required:      Appropriation of Funding

 Presenter:            Stephen Knick, Captain, Charlottesville Police Department

 Staff Contacts:       RaShall Brackney, Chief, Charlottesville Police Department
                       Stephen Knick, Captain, Charlottesville Police Department

 Title:                Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
                       Coronavirus Emergency Supplement Funding (CESF) Fiscal Year
                       2021 -$50,000


Background:

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has made $6.5 million of federal
Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Grant (CESF) funds available to assist eligible applicants
in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus. The $6.5 million is approximately 60%
of the $10,832,775 CESF grant awarded to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The City of Charlottesville, through the Police Department, has received approval for reimbursement
up to $50,000 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for the FY21
Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) program to purchase law enforcement
equipment.


Discussion:

The Charlottesville Police Department applied for $50,000 of funding for the purchase of up to three
multi-purpose message boards with speed radar technology. The department requested this funding
due to the continuing struggles with the physical, economic, and emotional impacts of the
coronavirus.

Since March 2020, we have experienced an increase in vehicle related incidents, gunshot related
incidents and firework related calls for service. All of which present threats to the health and safety
of our residents. To proactively address this issue, funding was requested to implement multi-
purpose message board technology with speed radar capabilities as needed throughout our
community. These mobile communication devices provide law enforcement with an additional
communication tool to provide our residents, community and motorists with localized alerts and
hazard notices both safely and effectively.

Notification of award approval was received on September 8, 2020. The amount awarded is
$50,000 and requires no local match.
Alignment with City Council’s Vision and Strategic Plan:

The CESF award supports Goal 2 of the Strategic Plan, a healthy and safe city. With this funding,
CPD will be able to enhance its ability to provide socially distanced localized communications both
effectively and proactively.

The funding also aligns with Goal 2.4, to reduce the occurrence of crime, traffic violations and
accidents in the community. By staging message boards in locations with high rates of incidents,
our residents and motorists are made aware of a localized concern without a physical law
enforcement presence, which may lead to a decrease in incidents in that area.


Community Engagement:

N/A

Budgetary Impact:

This has no impact on the General Fund. The funds will be expensed and reimbursed to a Grants
Fund.


Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval and appropriation of grant funds.


Alternatives:

Should the City decline to approve the appropriation request, the department would be ineligible to
participate in the grant program.

Attachments:

Appropriation
                                      APPROPRIATION


              DCJS FY21 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program
                                 Grant # 20-A5055CE20
                                        $50,000



        WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville, through the Police Department, has received the

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services FY 2021 Coronavirus Emergency

Supplemental Funding grant in the amount of $50,000 to be used to prevent, prepare for and

respond to the Coronavirus.



        WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period from January 20, 2020 to September 30,

2021.


        NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of
Charlottesville, Virginia, that the sum of $50,000, received from the Virginia Department of
Criminal Justice Services, is hereby appropriated in the following manner:


Revenue
$ 50,000        Fund: 209     I/O: 1900400          G/L: 431110 Federal Grants

Expenditure
$ 50,000    Fund: 209         I/O: 1900400          G/L: 520900 Mach/Equip/Furn (NC)



        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt
of $50,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice
Assistance.