7.2. SR 01-21-1997'~ity of
iver
ITEH Y. 2.
MEMORANDUM
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Counc~-~^l ~
COPS FAST
There is both good news and bad news regarding the city's application for
additional COPS FAST funding for new police officers. The good news is that
the city has received authorization for two additional officers (see attached
material from the Chief of Police) and the bad news is that these two
employees are nowhere to be found in the city budget.
The city currently has four officers that have been hired through the COPS
FAST program. Three are through the federal program and one is through
the state program. Three of these officers have been with the city less than a
year and one program started in 1995.
The COPS FAST program is a financial assistance opportunity for cities to
add police officers for community policing activities. The program reimburses
the city $75,000 over a three year period, after which the employee is entirely
funded by the city. Up to 75 percent of the employee's wages and benefits are
reimbursed the first year, 50 percent the second year, and 25 percent the third
year.
The adding of two more COPS FAST officers in 1997 means that the city will
have a total of six of these employees all added within the last few years. The
city budget will see a substantial increase in net expenses for police services
in 1998-2000. The actual cost to the city in 1997 for these two new officers
will be in the $25,000 range, assuming that they are hired around June 1,
1997 (25 percent of two officers for seven months). If money is not available at
the end of the year out of the City Council Contingency Fund, then the city
may have to once again look at its cash flow reserves as a source of funding for
these positions in 1997. As the Council may recall, you have already
designated some of the cash flow reserves to be in the budget as a revenue
when a budget adjustment was made on 12/16/96.
The addition of two more officers allows the police department to take a more
proactive position on a number of issues including traffic enforcement along
Highway 169. With this addition we will have to be very careful about adding
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
more officers in the future. The city had been on a cycle of adding one or two
officers every two years (about three officers in every four year time period).
This had seemed to be keeping pace with activities as long as everyone was
healthy and available for work. From a practical and financial point of view,
we may not be able to add any additional officers after these two until the
2000 budget year.
Recommendation
Staff recommends accepting the COPS FAST award for two additional officers
in 1997.
s:Xcouncilkcopsfst.doc
To:
From:
Ell iver Date:
Police Department Subject:
Memorandum
Mayor and City Council
Thomas D. Zerwas, Chief of
January 16, 1997
COPS FAST GRANT
P°lice~~'
Recently, I mailed a notification letter to the City Council in
regards to the police department receiving another grant award
through COPS FAST for two (2) police officer positions. I am, at
this time, requesting that the City Council indicate if they are in
favor of accepting this award.
If so, I would like to fill the two positions some time in April or
May. After these new officers complete the Field Training
Officer's program (FTO) which is about fourteen (14) weeks, We
would then assign existing officers to other positions. One (1)
officer would be assigned to investigations, assisting with the
ever increasing case load concerning adult crime.
The second position would be a traffic enforcement detail. This
officer would be assigned traffic details relating to speed,
semaphore and pedestrian violations along our highways. This
officer would also deal with snowmobile complaints throughout the
city.
The position of Traffic Enforcement Officer would be filled by one
of our officers who is very active on traffic enforcement. With
the revenue generated from traffic fines, this position could be
self supporting. This would then eliminate the need for some of,
or most of, the overtime traffic details on the highways.
I will be at Tuesday's council meeting to discuss this with you.
If you have any questions or comments, give me a call.
TDZ/kma
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 723 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-2324 · Fax (612) 441-8937
U.S. Department of Justice
O~ce of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
O~ce of the Director
F/ashington, D.C. 20530
December 1 $, 1996
Chief Thomas Zerwas
Elk River Police Dept.
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
RE: Grant for: Elk River Police Dept.
Dear Chief Zerwas:
It is with great pleasure that I write to inform you that your Department will
receive a COPS Universal Hiring Program grant award for 2.0 new, additional full-time
officer(s) and 0.0 part-time officer(s) at an estimated cost of 150000.0000. This is an
estimated amount of federal funds to be awarded to your jurisdiction for a three year
period. The grant award start date is December 1, 1996, which means that you can be
reimbursed for salaries and expenses of additional officer(l) hired after this date.
If you have not previously received a COPS Universal Hiring award, your
Universal Hiring Program budget information currently is being reviewed. Upon budget
approval, we will forward to you your Universal Hiring Program Award, budget
clearance memorandum, Grant Owner's Manual and Request for Payment form. The
memorandum will provide the actual award amount and will identify any disallowed
costs such as uniforms or overtime. Some departments als0 will receive COPS assistance
in developing community policing strategies. If this condition applies, a special notice
pertaining to technical assistance will be enclosed. You must sign and return it to the
COPS Office along with your grant award. To accept your grant, please sign the award
document and special condition, if applicable, and return it to the COPS Office within 45
days.
If you have previously received a COPS FAST, AHEAD, or Universal Hiring
Program, this grant award will supplement your previous award. Upon budget approval
for the additional officers, you will receive a supplemental grant award which will
provide your actual award amount for this announcement.
If you requested a waiver of the 25% local match, such requests are currently
under review. You will be notified whether a waiver has been granted at the time your
Universal Hiring Program Award and budget clearance memorandum are sent to you.
We are pleased that your Department has elected to participate in the Universal
Hiring Program and look forward to working with you in a productive partnership to
further your community policing efforts. Should you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact the COPS Office at 1-800-421-6770. Your grant advisor will be happy
to provide you with assistance.
{,/Director