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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 26 - Victim Coordinator and LiaisonMEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER MEETING DATE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 SUBJECT: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OTHER VICTIM ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION: Consider a resolution authorizing the acceptance of funds for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 State of Texas, Office of the Attorney General, Victim Coordinator and Liaison Grants and an ordinance appropriating the funds. FUNDING SOURCE: Upon approval, funds will be available in the Grant Fund in an amount not to exceed $30,000. BACKGROUND: The Office of the Attorney General for the State of Texas provides the Victim Coordinator and Liaison Grant (VCLG) to support law enforcement agencies in complying with statutory responsibilities under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 56, relating to the rights of crime victims. The Grapevine Police Department received notification from the Office of the Attorney General that grant funds have been allocated under the Victim Coordinator and Liaison Grant (VCLG) Program. This grant will reimburse the Department for a portion of the costs associated with a Victim Services Advocate, who serves as the Department's designated Victim Liaison to ensure victims are informed of their rights and receive access to appropriate services. The Advocate initiates contact with victims identified by the Grapevine Police Department as individuals in need of services, and/or resources, and provides assistance as required by statute. Examples of services include providing written and verbal notification of victim rights, crisis intervention, safety planning, referrals to community resources, assistance with Crime Victims' Compensation, advocacy, support through recovery, educational outreach, and guidance navigating the Criminal Justice system. The duties of the Advocate include directing, managing, and coordinating assistance to victims of crime; ensuring compliance with state law related to victim rights notification; reducing or alleviating trauma, and victimization while protecting the rights of victims; coordinating services with other providers; and coordinating required training activities and administrative responsibilities of the program for the City. The grant is effective September 1, 2025 (or upon the final signature of the involved parties) and concludes on August 31, 2026, unless terminated or otherwise modified. This is a two-year grant. This application corresponds to the first year of the current grant cycle. Staff recommends approval RESOLUTION NO. 2025-014 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PARTICIPATING IN THE TEXAS, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, VICTIM COORDINATOR AND LIAISON GRANTS, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE "GRANT PROGRAM", AND CERTIFYING THAT THE APPLICANT IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE PROGRAM ASSISTANCE WHEREAS, The City of Grapevine ("the Applicant") is fully eligible to receive assistance under the Grant Program; and WHEREAS, the Applicant is desirous of authorizing an official to represent and act for the Applicant in dealing with the Police Department ("the Department") concerning the Grant Program; and WHEREAS, all constitutional and statutory prerequisites for the approval of this resolution have been met, including but not limited to the Open Meetings Act; and WHEREAS, the City Council deems the adoption of this resolution to be in the best interests of the citizens of The City of Grapevine that the Grant Program be operated for the Fiscal Year 2026. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: Section 1. That all matters stated hereinabove are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety. Section 2. That the Applicant hereby certifies that they are eligible to receive assistance under the Grant Program. Section 3. That the Applicant agrees that in the event of loss or misuse of grant funds, the Applicant assures the funds will be returned to the Texas Office of the Attorney General in full. Section 4. That the Applicant hereby authorizes and directs the Chief of Police as the "Authorized Official" who is given the power to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate this grant, as well as given the authority to sign all grant adjustment requests, inventory reports, progress reports and financial reports or any other official documents related to the grant on behalf of the City of Grapevine. Section 5. The Applicant hereby specifically authorizes the official to make application to the Department accepting funds from the Texas Office of the Attorney General, Victim Coordinator and Liaison Grants. Grant # C-02317. Section 6. That this resolution shall take effect from and after the date of its passage. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, on this the 16th day of September, 2025. APPROVED: William D. Tate Mayor ATTEST: Tara Brooks City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Matthew C.G. Boyle City Attorney Resolution No. 2025-014 2 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-059 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF REVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000 IN THE GRANT FUND TO BE RECEIVED FROM THE TEXAS OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, VICTIM COORDINATOR AND LIAISON GRANTS AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF $30,000 IN THE GRANT FUND FOR EXPENDITURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE GRANT WHICH ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE APPROVED GRANT; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine has received approval for grant funds for the Texas Office of the Attorney General, Victim Coordinator and Liaison Grants, Grant # C-02317, and WHEREAS the City will continue to fund a Victim Coordinator and Liaison who will provide direct services to victims of crime in association with the grant; and WHEREAS all constitutional and statutory prerequisites for the approval of this ordinance have been met, including but not limited to the Open Meetings Act and Chapter 211 of the Local Government Code; and WHEREAS the City Council deems the adoption of this ordinance to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the public. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS: Section 1. That all matters stated hereinabove are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety. Section 2. That the City Council hereby authorizes an amount of $30,000 revenue be appropriated in the Grant Fund based on approval of the Texas Office of the Attorney General, Victim Coordinator and Liaison Grants. Section 3. That the City Council hereby authorizes an amount of $30,000 expenditures be appropriated in the Grant Fund. Section 4. That this is a two-year cycle grant. The current application corresponds to year one of the current cycle. Section 5. That the terms and provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed to be severable, and that if the validity of any section, subsection, word, sentence, or phrase shall be held to be invalid, it shall not affect the remaining part of this ordinance. Section 6. That the fact that the present ordinances and regulations of the City of Grapevine, Texas, are inadequate to properly safeguard the health, safety, morals, peace and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Grapevine, Texas, creates an emergency for the immediate preservation of the public business, property, health, safety and general welfare of the public which requires that this ordinance shall become effective from and after the date of its final passage, and it is accordingly so ordained. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS on this the 16th day of September 2025. APPROVED: William D. Tate Mayor ATTEST: Tara Brooks City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Matthew C.G. Boyle City Attorney Ordinance No. 2025-059 2