TITLE
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, pertaining to the submission of projects for consideration in the Arizona's 2015 Highway Safety Plan. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The City of Maricopa has applied for, and been awarded, grant funding from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety since 2007. The fiscal year 2016 Highway Safety Plan will specifically target the following areas and proposals addressing these areas' given priority:
· Accident Investigation
· Impaired Driving
· Emergency Medical Services
· Occupant Protection
· Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
· Police Traffic Services/ Speed Control
· Roadway Safety/Traffic Records
· Motorcycle Safety
Federal funds allocated to finance state and local government highway safety projects are intended to supplement, not supplant ongoing or local program expenditures. Projects should be designed to eliminate a deficiency in an applicant agency's program or to expand an existing program. Projects under the Highway Safety Act are funded through grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The City of Maricopa Fire and Police Departments will be applying for funding under the following programs in an amount not to exceed $215,000:
Impaired Driving:
Overtime - The funding in the category is comprised mainly of overtime funding. This funding will allow the Maricopa Police Department to assign officers to work DUI Task Force events in overtime status. Overtime under this category would also be utilized for activities with the Maricopa, Ak-Chin, Stanfield, Hidden Valley Substance Abuse Coalition, Be Awesome Coalition as well as providing educational instruction on the dangers of driving while under the influence. Also included in this category is the addition of an SUV dedicated to DUI Enforcement.
Police Traffic Services/Speed Control:
Overtime - The overtime funding would allow the City to fund speed enforcement details which may target aggressive driving and red-light running. These details allow the Maricopa Police Department to concentrate speed enforcement effort to various areas notorious for speeding violations. In addition to overtime, the Maricopa Police Department is requesting additional equipment for enforcement efforts of four (4) radars and installation into the vehicles for standardized use. Lastly, under this category a motorcycle will be requested for enforcement.
Occupant Protection:
Occupant protection grants provide programs to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries by increasing the usage of seat belts and child safety seats. Funding under this category is for overtime funding to assist with the implementation car seat events and car safety seats. Additionally through this category the police department will work with the Media Specialist to create a PSA to be aired on the Maricopa 20 station.
Accident Investigation:
Under this category the Maricopa Police Department will be requesting advanced accident reconstruction training using the currently owned Total Station, software for accident investigations and overtime/backfill for the training.
Emergency Medical Services:
Maricopa Fire Department is seeking funding for various emergency medical equipment and supplies.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety:
GOHS grantees conduct traffic safety programs including bicycle rodeo for schools and community groups in effort to increase awareness among various age groups. Maricopa Police Department is seeking funds for overtime to host bicycle rodeo events, helmets and other safety related.
These projects will benefit the residents of Maricopa, Pinal County and the State of Arizona by having safer streets on which to travel.
This item will be presented by Steve Stahl, Police Chief, Fire Chief Brady Leffler and Mary Witkofski, Community Programs Manager.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona pass a resolution pertaining to the submission of projects for consideration in the Arizona's 2015 Highway Safety Plan.