AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Meeting Date: April 13, 2009

From:                          Chief William Chrisman

Subject:                      Resolution authorizing the Leesburg Police Department to apply for and, if awarded, accept a grant for $306,960.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice

Staff Recommendation:

Staff recommends approval to submit the application and, if awarded, accept the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for $306,960.  This grant will support the City’s ability to preserve  two existing sworn positions. 

Analysis:

This grant will provide budgetary relief for salaries and benefits for two officers who may be laid off in the future because of budget cuts. Whereas the COPS program has traditionally been restricted to adding new positions, it has been modified as part of the Economic Stimulus Package to include job preservation.  It is staff’s intent to use the grant in this manner.  Deadline for submission is April 14, 2009.

Options:

1. Accept the grant to reduce the cost of salaries and benefits for  two existing sworn positions; or

2. Such alternative action as the Commission may deem appropriate

Fiscal Impact: 

The grant will provide 100% funding of the $306,960 to  two existing law enforcement positions salaries and benefits for three years. The city must retain all sworn officer positions awarded under this grant for a period of one year (12 months) following the conclusion of the three-year funding period.  At the beginning of the fourth year, the city must fund the positions.

Submission Date and Time:    4/9/2009 9:27 AM____

Department: Police Department Prepared by:  Sonja Vicchiollo Attachments:         Yes X  No ______ Advertised:   ____Not Required ______ Dates:   __________________________                      Attorney Review :       Yes___  No ____ _________________________________            Revised 6/10/04

Reviewed by: Dept. Head ________ Finance  Dept. __________JB______                                    Deputy C.M. ___________________                                          Submitted by: City Manager ___________________

Account No. _001-0000-331-2100___ Project No. ___________________ WF No. ______________________ Budget  ______________________ Available _____________________

RESOLUTION NO._______________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE LEESBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT, TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT, IF AWARDED, A "COPS" GRANT OF $306,960.00 FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO PRESERVE TWO EXISTING SWORN POSITIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LEESBURG, FLORIDA:

            THAT the Leesburg Police Department is hereby authorized to apply for and accept, if awarded, a grant for $306,960.00 from  the Department of Justice to preserve two existing sworn positions.

 THAT this resolution shall become effective immediately.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, at a regular meeting held the _13th____ day of _April_____ 2009.

                                                                            __________________________________

                                                                             Mayor

ATTEST:

__________________________

City Clerk