ADMINISTRATION - Brian Podany, Safety Services Manager/Chief of Police
Title
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY GRANT FOR DWI OFFICER
Background
The City of Blaine has been awarded a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), for a full time DWI Enforcement Officer. The City received this one-year grant in October, 2018 and renewed it for nine months beginning in January, 2020. This grant term would commence on January 1, 2021 and conclude September 30, 2021.
This grant allows the City to continue the increased traffic enforcement in the evenings as the position is DWI-specific and the officer’s hours have to be between 5:00PM and 5:00AM. This grant has proven to be more cost effective than adding another officer to the Traffic Unit and at the end of the grant term, the City would be responsible for the officer. Staff is supportive of allocating the DWI officer to the Traffic Unit after the nine-month term.
Recommendation
By motion, adopt the proposed resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has approved a grant for the City of Blaine for a full time DWI officer.
WHEREAS, in 2016 it was estimated by the National Safety Council that the cost of alcohol related crashes in Minnesota was $286 million. In the same year, 21 percent of serious injuries sustained in crashes and 31 percent of traffic crash fatalities were alcohol related.
WHEREAS, to address this ongoing issue, the Office of Traffic Safety will continue to offer a program supporting full time officers dedicated to DWI enforcement and awarding a total of six (6) grants in the metro area.
WHEREAS, the City of Blaine would like to do their part in helping reduce the amount of alcohol related crash fatalities by utilizing the grant and having a dedicated DWI officer.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Blaine City Council enter into a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for the DWI Officer grant during the period from January 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute such agreements and amendments as necessary to implement the project on behalf of the City of Blaine and to be the fiscal agent and administer the grant.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 21st day of December, 2020.