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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 17414-02-2007Ordinance No. 17414-02-2007 AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $750,000, SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN'S GRANT, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, TO ENCOURAGE ARREST POLICIES AND ENFORCEMENT OF PROTECTION ORDERS PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION, ARRESTING, AND PROSECUTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDERS; MAKING THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: SECTION 1. That in addition to those amounts allocated to the various City departments for Fiscal Year 2006- 2007 and in the Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund in the amount of $750,000, subject to receipt of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women's Grant to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program. SECTION 2. That should any portion, section or part of a section of this ordinance be declared invalid, inoperative or void for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision, opinion or judgment shall in no way impair the remaining portions, sections, or parts of sections of this ordinance, which said remaining provisions shall be and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall be cumulative of Ordinance No. 17142 and all other ordinances and appropriations amending the same except in those instances where the provisions of this ordinance are in direct conflict with such other ordinances and appropriations, in which instance said conflicting provisions of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed. SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: n ssistant City Attornl y ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: February 20, 2007 City of Fort VI/orfh, Texas Mayor and Council Communication COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 2/20/2007 -Ordinance No. 17414-07-2007 DATE: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 LOG NAME: 350VWFY2007 REFERENCE NO.: G-15616 SUBJECT: Authorize the Application and Acceptance of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women, Grant to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program in the City of Fort Worth, Authorize Execution of an Agreement with Safe Haven of Tarrant County and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Authorize the City Manager to apply for and accept, if awarded, the FY 2007 Grant to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) in the amount of $750,000.00; 2. Approve an Agreement to have the City of Fort Worth serve as the cognizant fiscal agency on the grant for SafeHaven of Tarrant County; and 3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund by $750,000.00, subject to receipt of the grant. DISCUSSION: The City of Fort Worth, in a collaborative effort with the SafeHaven of Tarrant County, is requesting funds to implement amulti-approach plan designed to provide additional personnel to hold offenders accountable for their actions through investigation, arrest and prosecution of domestic violence offenders. The City of Fort Worth will use OVW grant funding to hire three additional officers in the Police Department Fugitive Unit. These officers will immediately follow-up and enforce Emergency Protect Orders (EPOs). Grant funds of $414,960 are budgeted for three officers salaries, $109,964 for fringe benefits and $57,500 for necessary overtime during the 24 month grant period. Also $1,960 is budgeted for additional computer equipment to be utilized by these grant funded officers and $10,536 in travel for OVW grant required training. In 2006, 1,245 EPOs were issued. Under this funding, officers will visit the victim's residence to verify that the offender has not returned, and if so, make an immediate arrest. In addition, these officers will serve arrest warrants for penal violations as a result of domestic violence. Under the OVW grant funding, Safe Haven of Tarrant County will hire a bilingual attorney with immigration experience to deal with an increasing number of Spanish speaking clients and many with immigration issues. A total of $155,080 will be available to SafeHaven of Tarrant County for the bilingual attorney's salary and additional operating expenses during the 24 month grant period. Logname: 350VWFY2007 Page 1 of 2 FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION: The Finance Director certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations, receipt of the grant and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, of the Grant Fund. TO Fund/AccountlCenters FROM Fund/Account/Centers GR76 451891 035423166000 $750.000.00 GR76 5(VARIOUS) 035423166010 $750.000.00 Submitted for City Manager's Office b~ Joe Paniagua (6575) Originating Department Head: Ralph Mendoza (4211) Additional Information Contact: Sasha Kane (4243) Logname: 350VWFY2007 Page 2 of 2