ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Chief of Police with a Request to APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the City Manager to Execute a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between the City of Peoria and CARLE HEALTH SERVICES under the Co-Responder Unit, for a Six-Month Period Utilizing Grant Funding from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Providing the Co-Responder Unit, in the Amount of $3,068,000.00.
Body
BACKGROUND: In April 2023, the City of Peoria received notification of awarded funding and creation of the Co-Response Unit in the amount of $3,068,000.00. This Co-Response unit has been over a year in the creation by various stakeholders in the city, including the Public Health Administrator of the Health Department, the Chief Financial Officer of Carle Health Services, the Chief of Police and Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth. This unit’s sole focus will be to attend to victims of crimes, and to eliminate barriers for much needed assistance. This unit will include victim services, cognitive and developmental services, as well as mental and/or behavioral health issues. This unit will be titled the Social Services Unit.
This unit will be housed at the Wisconsin Street location - we have built in costs for the upgrade and furnishing of this location and have also budgeted in de minimis costs to cover the utilities and unexpected construction costs we may encounter. This unit will consist of an Administrative Assistant, 4 Licensed Social Workers, 4 Licensed Clinical Social Workers, a Data Analyst, the Community Relations Crime Prevention Manager, and will be led by a Director of the Victim Services Unit. Not only will this team respond to mental health calls, but they will also assist victims AFTER the incident, including housing, relocation, household needs, food, diapers, blankets, training on financial management and other relevant topics, transportation, workshops (yoga, meditation) and childcare. The goal of this unit will be to help victims and their families become whole after incidents that could cause permanent, irreparable damage. The Co-Responder funding will provide the City of Peoria $3,068,000.00. There is no matching of funds required for this award. The Peoria Police Department is seeking approval for the use of these funds to hire staff (crime analyst, administrative assistant, 5 interns) and purchase equipment and supplies necessary for a successful start-up and operation of our Social Services Unit. For your convenience, a copy of the approved 6-month budget is attached, and a breakdown is below:
|
Item |
Costs - 6 Months |
|
Personnel & Fringe |
$173,008.00 |
|
Fringe Benefits |
50,269.00 |
|
Travel |
$6,662.00 |
|
Equipment |
$1,026,900.00 |
|
Supplies |
$200,322.00 |
|
Contractual |
$443,444.00 |
|
Indirect Costs |
$50,594.00 |
|
TOTAL 6 MONTH EXPENSED |
$1,951,199.00 |
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City of Peoria will receive $3,068,000.00 for the co-responder,including improvement, updating and purchasing of necessary law enforcement equipment,personnel costs and travel. The use of grant funds for these initiatives frees up limited localdollars for other uses.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: There are no neighborhood concerns identified at this time.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The City and County of Peoria will receive $3,068,000.00 in statefunds to create a co-responder unit, as well as to replace critical criminal justice equipmentthroughout the Peoria jurisdiction.
IMPACT IF DENIED: If denied, the City and County of Peoria will lose $3,068,000.00 of lawenforcement entitlement monies from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Such aloss may result in the denial and/or decrease of entitlement funds in future fiscal years. Further, if denied the City of Peoria Police Department will lose out on a critical component of community safety.
ALTERNATIVES: There are no alternatives identified at this time.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Not applicable for this request
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Grow Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reduce crime.
2. Support sustainability.
3. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Police