HomeMy WebLinkAboutA006 - Motion approving the Ames Police Department's application for, and participation in, the 2026 Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) Enforcement Grant ProgramITEM #:8
DATE:03-11-25
DEPT:POLICE
SUBJECT:MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMES POLICE DEPARTMENT'S
APPLICATION FOR AND PARTICIPATION IN THE 2026 GOVERNOR'S
TRAFFIC SAFETY BUREAU (GTSB) ENFORCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The Police Department is again requesting permission to apply for funding from the Governor's Traffic
Safety Bureau (GTSB) to support additional overtime traffic enforcement, and to participate in the
project should funding be awarded.
This program is conducted through the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau in cooperation with local and
county law enforcement agencies. The purpose of this grant is to address traffic safety problems
including alcohol, excessive speed, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and vehicle occupant protection.
The program is designed with both enforcement and educational components to improve driver
safety and protection, to reduce impaired driving, and to enhance overall traffic safety. The Police
Department has participated in similar annual programs in the past.
This grant will support additional traffic enforcement during periods of high risk for impaired
driving, excessive speed, and crashes. The officers conducting this intensified traffic enforcement
will be added to the normal staffing levels for the Police Department and will work on an
overtime basis. The areas in which these officers work will be selected on the basis of citizen
complaints, officer observations, and traffic incident data.
The grant application would request $36,100 in funding for the following uses:
To pay officers at an overtime rate,
To fund acquisition of one mobile radar unit and two portable Preliminary Breath Tests (PBT),
To send an officer to an annual national traffic safety conference.
There is no local match required with this grant.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the Police Department's application for and participation in the Governor's Traffic
Safety Bureau Enforcement Grant Program.
2. Do not approve this application.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Participation in this program allows the Police Department to devote additional resources to
traffic safety without additional local costs. These funds help reduce traffic violations and
improve traffic safety for the citizens of Ames . Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City
Manager that the City Council approve Alternative #1 as described above.
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