HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0004) M&C 21-0362City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 06/08/21 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 21-0362
LOG NAME: 0202OPOM GRANT FARE
SUBJECT
(ALL) Ratify Application for and Authorize Acceptance of a Monetary Grant in the Amount of $21,600.00 from the North Texas Community
Foundation to Support the Salary of Two Part -Time Law Student Interns Dedicated Solely to the Office of the Police Oversight Monitor and
Adopt Attached Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Ratify the application and authorize the acceptance of a monetary grant in the amount of $21,600.00 from North Texas Community
Foundation; and
2. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Other Fund, subject to
recepit of the grant, in the amount of $21,600.00 for the purpose of funding the salary of two part-time law student interns.
DISCUSSION:
In partnership with North Texas Community Foundation fund holders, Rainwater Charitable Foundation, Sid W. Richardson Foundation, The Miles
Foundation, Colonial Savings, and Texas Bank and Trust, the Fund to Advance Racial Equity was established in 2020 to provide support to
nonprofits and municipal entities working to achieve a more equitable community for all.The Office of the Police Oversight Monitor (OPOM) was
established in February 2020 to provide oversight and accountability of the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD). Implementing
recommendations from the City's Race and Culture Task Force on Fort Worth law enforcement was recommended in December 2018. Kim Neal,
the City of Fort Worth's first Police Monitor, was appointed in March 2020.The funding of $21,600.00 will be used to support at least two interns to
further OPOM's goals of enhancing community -police relations in Fort Worth. The interns' projects will include researching and benchmarking
promising govenring policing policies and practices including, but not limited to, use of force, active pursuits, stops, searches, body worn cameras
and other recording/video systems, recruitment and training as well as researching and drafting a state-of-the-art community -police mediation
program. Interns will not be accessing confidential "G" file material.
Furthermore, OPOM oversees a Mutual Accountability Working Group (MAG) that was recommended to City Council on December 1, 2020. The
Working Group is ad hoc and has been in existence since the end of December to now, working through putting together a recommendation for an
accountability board; the initial purpose of this board is to review and make procedure and policy recommendations regarding FWPD general
orders and practices. The interns would support the OPOM with administration for the group. The ultimate goal is to ensure Fort Worth law
enforcement's policies, procedures and practices are transparent, fair, thorough, and effective in ensuring social justice for all. It's imperative to
establish a strong foundation to identify the root causes of racial disparities in our community, best practices towards their elimination and to
establish effective engagement with the community. The interns will assist in two additional capacities to reach these goals. They will contribute to
the development and fulfillment of future summer/fall community listening and collaborative sessions as well as the framework to develop effective
measures to engage the community through an interactive "know your rights" campaign that will be presented via OPOM's community -police
collaborations.
The City has made substantial investments and continues to be committed to the work of advancing racial equity and building thriving communities
as well as effective community -police relationships. The funding will allow OPOM to further accomplish these objectives.
A Form 1295 is not required because: This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.
FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds
will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, in the Grants Operating Other Fund. The City Manager's Office (and Financial
Management Services) will be responsibility for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to an expenditure being incurred, the City
Manager's Office has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is an advance grant.
Submitted for City Manager's Office bT. Fernando Costa 6122
Originating Business Unit Head: Kim Neal 6120
Additional Information Contact: Vanessa Campos 6511
Expedited