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R2022-085 2022-04-11_GRANT PROGRAM FOR CAMERASRESOLUTION NO. R2022-85 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, authorizing a public safety grant program for the installation of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS: Section 1. That certain public safety grant program for the installation of ALPR cameras, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and made a part hereof for all purposes, is hereby authorized and approved. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this the 11th day of April, A.D., 2022. _____________________________ J.KEVIN COLE MAYOR ATTEST: _____________________________ LESLIE CRITTENDEN CITY SECRETARY APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________________ DARRIN M. COKER CITY ATTORNEY DocuSign Envelope ID: D655D6B0-F001-4000-A00E-129AC1B0B620 Memo To: Clay Pearson, City Manager From: Chad Randall, Asst. Chief of Police CC: Johnny Spires, Chief of Police & Ron Fraser, Assistant City Manager Date: March 9, 2022 Re: Pearland Neighborhood Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Public Safety Grant Executive Summary On February 14, 2022, the Pearland Police Department provided information on Enhancing Public Safety. During the presentation PPD staff addressed the idea and impact of a Public Safety Grant. During the presentation PPD noted the grant could leverage public/private partnerships to further enhance safety. Staff made the recommendation that a new grant program be provided to help neighborhoods acquire FLOCK cameras, a camera system with Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) capabilities with real time reporting of “hot lists” directly to PPD. The idea was floated at that time for the City to provide coverage for up to 50% of cost and/or be based on the number of rooftops within a subdivision. On March 7, 2022, Pearland City Council approved Ordinance No. 1605-3 to the annual budget, this amendment approved $250,000 for a public safety grant. Since this date the administration of the grant has been assigned to PPD. Based on past recommendations and some comments made regarding the grant, PPD is recommending the following for a Neighborhood ALPR Public Safety Grant. While details, forms, etc. will still need to be created, a basic proposed outline for the purpose, eligibility, cost-sharing, and procedures are included below and feedback hereby solicited before presenting the program more formally. According to GIS data, there are over 160 neighborhoods in Pearland ranging in size from one home to almost 6,300 homes. In total there are over residential 37,000 address points. Highlights Purpose: The purpose of the City of Pearland Neighborhood ALPR Public Safety Grant is to improve public safety using Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR). ALPRs monitor traffic 24/7/365 where installed. The cameras record license plates which can provide leads to police investigators and systems subject to the grant are able to notify the Pearland Police Department when a vehicle on the “hot list” passes the ALPR and provide information to PPD when queried. A private/public partnership facilitates a shared cost to improve public safety in general and more specifically in neighborhoods which choose to participate to provide scale beyond what the City has planned for its own installations. Pearland City Council has made a one-time appropriation of $250,000 to this program. Exhibit A Neighborhood Eligibility: This grant only applies to community neighborhoods with the City of Pearland which have established a “Property Owners’ Association” POA as defined by the Texas Property Code (commonly referred to as an HOA or Homeowners Association). The reason for this recommended stipulation is POAs are legally recognized entities who have legal authority to act on behalf of the neighborhood, we would prefer to make payments to an organization, not an individual and this avoids any appearance of impropriety or fraud. ALPR Eligibility: The type of ALPR-eligible cameras must be able to provide near real-time alerts to the Pearland Police Department of vehicles wanted within the National Crime Information Center system, including reported stolen vehicles/plates/trailers and vehicles associated with AMBER or other similar alerts. The technical requirements are that ALPR-eligible cameras must capture license plate data and store the data for a minimum of 21days. Eligible ALPR systems must be able to share the license plate data with the Pearland Police Department without cost to the Pearland Police Department for unlimited access. Eligible systems must include a means for PPD to add wanted vehicles to a “list” which cameras can search. Cost-Sharing: Eligible POAs are reimbursed at a rate of $20 per residence (address point) of a neighborhood within the city limits to a maximum of $20,000 of City share (50% of the total). The eligible POA is reimbursed for 50% of the ALPR costs including installation, annual service for up to 12 months, and ancillary costs related directly to the installation. Examples: • Neighborhood A spends $5,500 on installing 2 ALPR cameras and is there eligible for reimbursement up to $2,750. Neighborhood A has 225 homes and would be eligible to be reimbursed up to $4,500 (calculated as 225 address points * $20 = $4,500 but would instead receive their 50% maximum of $2,750). • Neighborhood B spends $54,000 on installing 20 ALPR cameras and is there for eligible for the maximum $20,000 reimbursement. Neighborhood B has 1,350 homes and would be reimbursed the maximum $20,000 (calculated as 1,350 address points * $20 = $27,000 but maxed at $20,000). • Neighborhood C spends $2,800 on installing a single ALPR camera and is eligible for up to $1,400. Neighborhood C only has 60 homes and would be reimbursed $1200 (calculated as 60 * $20 = $1200 limited by the number of homes). Procedures: The procurement, installation, maintenance, and other costs for an ALPR system are to be paid by the eligible POA directly to the ALPR service provider. It is the POA’s responsibility to choose an ALPR camera system that meets the eligibility requirements, however the POA can seek advice from a designated PPD representative for systems which meet the criteria. A POA with an existing ALPR system may submit for improvements, maintenance, or data services to cover up to 12 months from an application for a grant. It is the POA’s responsibility to ensure the placement of ALPR cameras are in a legal location and to obtain any permits which may be necessary for installation. After an eligible ALPR system has been installed, a representative for the POA will complete grant paperwork (to include a grant application, vendor application, and any other paperwork deemed necessary) and provide proof of acquisition to a designated representative of the PPD. The PPD representative will ensure the ALPR is functional and able to provide data to the PPD and then sign off on the eligibility for the grant. The PPD representative will forward the paperwork to the PPD Business Administrator who will enter the vendor application into New World. The PPD BA will then submit a check request in the amount specified based on grant eligibility. The Finance Department will issue a check to the POA representative. The PPD representative will forward each POA grant application packet to the CoP Grants Administrator or his designee for filing. Other considerations not included In drafting this new program, we attempted to make it as simple and straightforward as possible for all involved. We did not include criteria for high call volume areas. We did not include a means testing for ability to pay or other considerations. Such criteria could be considered if desired, but at the offset of adding complexity for a relatively small amount of money being administered. Recommendation City staff is requesting feedback on whether the highlighted outline of the grant meets the needs and desire of City Council. If the proposed outline is acceptable, PPD should be able to publish public information, finalize procedures, and make the grant available before mid-May.