Title
Ordinance in the Amount of $785,000 Amending State, Federal, and Other Grants Fund Budget for Police Federal Forfeiture for Renovation of 2305 Soabar Street
Body
Department: Police
Council District: All
Public Hearing: No
Advertising Date/By: NA
Contact 1 and Phone: Chief Wayne Scott, 373-2085
Contact 2 and Phone: Stephanie Moore, 373-2352
PURPOSE:
The Greensboro Police Department and the Water Resources Department are partnering to move police personnel from their remaining footprint at J. Edward Kitchen Operations Center to Water Resources newly purchased property at 2305 Soabar Street. This appropriation is necessary to up fit the police portion of the Soabar Street property. A budget ordinance needs to be approved by City Council to permit the expenditure of funds.
BACKGROUND:
On March 21, 2017, the Water Resources Department received City Council approval to purchase their Water Resources Operational Construction Yard at 2305 Soabar Street (Res#63-17). It is the desire of both departments that the Police Department moves into the office area at the front of the Soabar location which will serve as the Patrol District 2 substation.
By moving to the location, the Police Department will be able offer public access and services. Furthermore, Water Resources will be better positioned for future growth and will be able to better address current space limitations.
Title 21, United States Code, Section 881 (e) allows local law enforcement agencies to share in the proceeds from the sale of seized assets and cash from certain criminal investigations. The Department of Justice’s Guide to Equitable Sharing for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies states Equitably Shared Funds received from the Asset Forfeiture Program may be used for the costs associated with the purchase, lease, construction, expansion, improvement, or operation of law enforcement or detention facilities used or managed by the recipient agency and as directed by the Chief of Police.
The authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to share federally forfeited property with participating federal, state and local law enforcement agencies is established by federal law at 18 U.S.C. § 981(e), 19 U.S.C. §1616a(c) and 31 U.S.C. §§ 9703 (a)(1)(G) and 9703(h). The Department of the Treasury Guide to Equitable Sharing for Foreign Countries and Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies April 2004 states the costs associated with basic and necessary facilities, their construction, updating, remodeling, furniture, safes, file cabinets, telecommunications equipment, etc., that are necessary to perform official law enforcement duties are permissible uses of the funds.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no impact to the police general fund budget. The Police Department wishes to use proceeds estimated at $785,000 of Asset Federal Forfeiture to renovate the front administrative office area of 2305 Soabar Street to create a Patrol District 2 substation. The funds will be housed in 220-3579-01.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is requested that the City Council adopt the attached budget ordinance.