MEMORANDUM
To: City Council
From: David J. Deutsch, City Manager
Subject: Maryland Highway Safety Office Proposal
Date: October 10, 2006
Prince George’s County’s Community Traffic Safety Program
(CTSP)
The Prince George’s Highway Safety Office, managed by the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Office, is seeking a new umbrella agency to become the host agency for the County’s Community Traffic Safety Program (CTSP). Represen-tatives from the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Office (MHSO) and the CTSP met with staff last month to discuss the possibility of the Bowie Police Department acting as the host agency for the CTSP (see Attachment #1). The CTSP, consisting of a Project Director and Project Manager, are currently housed under the Prince George’s County Police Department umbrella. The program is sustained by federal grant funds administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration.
Background and History
The Prince George’s CTSP has been in existence for over twelve years. Grant funds are provided to all 23 counties in Maryland, as well as Baltimore City, according to a statutory formula based on population and road mileage. The purpose of the local program is to reduce the incidence and severity of motor vehicle related crashes. The Prince George’s Highway Safety Task Force guides the grant program. Task Force members are a multidisciplinary group of agencies and organizations that have a vested interest in traffic safety. Member organizations include the University of Maryland, Bowie State University, Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office, Health Department, and many other municipal and business groups. Since 1999 the City of Bowie has been an active participant and supporter of the program through the Contract Officers and the Public Safety Coordinator.
Proposal
The CTSP, along with the MHSO, is proposing that the Bowie Police Department become the host agency for the grant program. The Project Director and Project Manager responsible for the administration of this program would be physically housed within the Bowie Police Department. The salary, benefits and FICA would be paid by the City of Bowie and then be reimbursed 100 % each month through the MHSO. Benefits to the City would include:
· The City of Bowie Police
Department would receive 10% of the grant funds claimed under the indirect
costs (approximately $35,000-$40,000). No
restrictions on how this money is utilized.
· The CTSP would assist the Bowie Police Department with addressing traffic
safety issues (aggressive driving, seat belts, pedestrian safety, etc.)
·The CTSP interfaces with many national, state and local organizations.
The City of Bowie and the Bowie Police Department would be marketed/promoted
through
these efforts.
· The CTSP would provide local, state, and national traffic related trainings
to City staff as well as police officers.
· The CTSP holds press events to announce traffic related programs and
data. The events could be held in the City of Bowie in an effort to bring greater
visibility to the community.
· See Attachment #2 for other benefits.
City Responsibilities
The Traffic Safety Grant funds 100% of the program with no cost to the host agency/organization. The grant is a reimbursement grant. The City would front the grant expenditures and would then be reimbursed on a monthly or quarterly basis. The funding level has remained consistent over the past twelve years at $350,000 to $400,000.
The City would provide the following:
· Office space, storage,
phone and fax line.
· Assistance from the Finance Office for payment of invoices and financials
for SHA reimbursements. It is estimated that the City Finance Office would have
to issue approximately 15-20 checks to grantees during the year.
· (The above described salary, benefits and FICA)
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council endorse the proposal by the Maryland Highway Safety Office and Community Traffic Safety Program that the Bowie Police Department becomes the host agency for the CTSP. The City Manager will direct his staff to secure the appropriate MOUs and directives to enable the CTSP to operate under the City’s umbrella of management.
DJD/KP