COP Secure Our Schools GrantTHE CITY OF DUBUQUE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All-American City
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: FY2008 COPS Secure Our Schools Program Grant Submittal
DATE: May 23, 2008
Chief of Police Kim Wadding is recommending submittal of a FY2008 Community
Oriented Policing Secure our Schools Grant application for the purpose of obtaining
grant funding for school security measures.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Kim B. Wadding, Chief of Police
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All-American City
2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Mana er
FROM: Kim B. Wadding, Police Chief
SUBJECT: FY2008 COPS Secure Our Schools Program Grant Submittal
DATE: May 21, 2008
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to seek City Council consideration to submit a
FY2008 Community Oriented Policing Secure Our Schools Grant for the purpose of
obtaining grant funding for school security measures by the grant due date of June 13,
2008.
BACKGROUND
The COPS Secure Our Schools (SOS) grant provides funding to local governments to
assist with the development of school safety resources. This funding allows recipients
the opportunity to establish and enhance school safety equipment and/or programs to
encourage the continuation and enhancement of school safety efforts. Funding under
this program may be used for the following:
• Placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent
measures
• Security assessments
• Security training of personnel and students
• Coordination with local law enforcement
• Any other measure that may provide significant improvement in security
The grant application deadline is June 13, 2008. The Secure Our Schools grant is two
years in duration and agencies are required to contribute a local cash match of 50
percent towards the total cost of the approved grant project. Requests to waive the
local match are not permitted under this program and funds previously budgeted for a
law enforcement purpose may not be reallocated to provide matching funds for the
Secure Our Schools program.
Allowable costs under the program include:
• Civilian/non-sworn Personnel (salaries and benefits) for new personnel not
currently funded: Staff must be hired on or after the award start date and must
work directly for the SOS program. Examples include: project coordinator -
director, analyst, or administrative assistant. Security guards are not funded
under this program.
• Equipment/Technology: Equipment and/or technology items must be clearly
linked to the enhancement or implementation of the SOS project. Examples
include: camera, door-locking mechanisms, lighting, metal detectors, and
surveillance systems.
• Supplies: Supplies related to the SOS project including: training manuals, paper,
printer ink, postage, etc.
• Travel/Training: Travel/Training costs related to training and on-site visits to
other similar programs directly related to the project goals.
• Contracts/Consultants: May include one-time training costs for equipment
operations/usage; contract/consulting services regarding security needs analysis
and assessment, staff-wide school safety training, and equipment installation and
testing.
• Other Costs: May include SOS software and prepaid warranties or maintenance
agreements (not to exceed 24 months) or other items having a direct correlation
to the overall success of the project goals and objectives.
DISCUSSION
On May 2, 2008 the grant application was shared with Dr. Kris Hall, Dubuque
Community Schools and Steve Cornelius, Holy Family Schools for their review and
possible participation. Currently, the Dubuque Community Schools is focusing their
attention on the Equipment and Technology portion of the grant to include school
security concerning the addition of door locks, proximity security cards, and web-based
video cameras. Regarding Holy Family Schools, Steve Cornelius and I will be meeting
Thursday, May 22, 2008 to discuss how Holy Family Schools may be participating.
Although a final determination has yet been made as to the exact funding request, I
anticipate the request to be items associated with the security enhancement of
equipment and technology as related by the research by the Dubuque Community
Schools. As a result, the 50% cash match requirement would be fulfilled by the
participating school receiving the technology and/or equipment with the city the conduit
for the grant and the project coordinator.
RECOMMENDATION:
Because the due date of the Secure Our Schools (SOS) grant submission falls between
June 2, 2008 and the June 16, 2008 City Council meeting with the grant still being
formulated, I recommend City Council consideration to submit the grant application by
the due date with the understanding the City Council reserves final approval whether to
accept the grant funding once the city has received word the grant has been awarded.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Action requested is for City Council consideration to submit the Secure Our Schools
(SOS) grant application by June 13, 2008, the grant's due date, with the understanding
the City Council reserves final approval whether to accept the grant funding once the
city has received word the grant has been awarded.
Cc: Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk