City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE
AND APPROPRIATION OF $240,770.00 IN GRANT
FUNDING FROM THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION
OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES FOR THE MOUNT
VERNON POLICE DEPARTMENT’S GIVE DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE INITIATIVE UNDER THE STATEWIDE
TARGETED REDUCTION IN INTIMATE PARTNER
VIOLENCE (STRIVE) INITIATIVE
Whereas, by correspondence dated August 11, 2026, the Acting Commissioner / Chief of Operations of the Department of Public Safety requested that the City Council authorize the Mayor to accept grant funding for Two Hundred Forty Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Dollars ($240,770.00) from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for the Department's domestic violence reduction initiative; and
Whereas, the grant is identified in the DCJS grant system as Project No. GD25-1094-D00, GIVE Domestic Violence Initiative, and is implemented as part of the Statewide Targeted Reduction in Intimate Partner Violence (“STRIVE”) Initiative; and
Whereas, STRIVE is administered by DCJS and is intended to strengthen public safety responses to intimate partner violence through coordinated, evidence-informed approaches designed to improve victim safety, strengthen law enforcement and community partnerships, and increase accountability for individuals who commit intimate partner violence; and
Whereas, the approved DCJS grant budget provides a total of $240,770.00 in grant funding and requires no City matching funds; and
Whereas, the approved grant budget includes $140,467.86 for personnel costs associated with a Wellness Crime Analyst and three Wellness Officer assignments providing coverage for two tours, five days per week; and
Whereas, the approved grant budget includes $46,036.52 for fringe benefits associated with the Wellness Officer positions; and
Whereas, the approved grant budget includes $10,765.62 for technology and equipment, including iPads, cases, accessories, and cellular phones; and
Whereas, the approved grant budget includes $1,000.00 for travel and subsistence associated with STRIVE orientation and program implementation; and
Whereas, the approved grant budget includes $42,500.00 for all other expenses, including $40,000.00 for the development of a victim-centered community space and $2,500.00 for soft uniforms for personnel assigned to the initiative; and
Whereas, the grant funding will provide the Mount Vernon Police Department with dedicated State resources to improve its response to domestic violence and intimate partner violence, including enhanced personnel capacity, analytical capabilities, technology, communications, victim-centered services, and other program needs identified in the approved DCJS grant budget; and
Whereas, the proposed victim-centered community space will provide a more appropriate and supportive setting for victims and survivors who interact with law enforcement under sensitive and potentially traumatic circumstances; and
Whereas, acceptance of the grant will allow the Mount Vernon Police Department to expand and strengthen these services without a required local financial match, with the full project cost of $240,770.00 supported by grant funds; and
Whereas, the grant revenue is to be recognized in revenue account A3389.9 - NYS Other; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that acceptance and appropriation of the grant funds is in the best interests of the City of Mount Vernon and its residents, and will further the City's public safety and community protection objectives;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorization to Accept Grant. The City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized to accept grant funding for Two Hundred Forty Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Dollars ($240,770.00) from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for Project No. GD25-1094-D00, GIVE Domestic Violence Initiative, implemented as part of the Statewide Targeted Reduction in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) Initiative.
Section 2. Purpose of Grant. The grant funds shall be used by the Mount Vernon Police Department for the purposes authorized under the approved DCJS grant budget, including strengthening the City's response to domestic violence and intimate partner violence, improving victim-centered services, enhancing personnel and analytical capacity, procuring approved technology and equipment, supporting program-related travel, developing a victim-centered community space, and providing other approved program-related expenses.
Section 3. Appropriation of Grant Funds. The sum of $240,770.00 is hereby appropriated for the purposes outlined in the approved DCJS grant budget. The grant appropriation shall be allocated substantially as follows:
|
Budget Category |
Amount |
|
Personnel |
$140,467.86 |
|
Fringe Benefits |
$46,036.52 |
|
Equipment |
$10,765.62 |
|
Travel and Subsistence |
$1,000.00 |
|
All Other Expenses |
$42,500.00 |
|
TOTAL |
$240,770.00 |
Section 4. Grant Revenue. Grant revenue for $240,770.00 shall be recognized in Revenue Account A3389.9 - NYS Other, or such other appropriate revenue account as may be determined by the City Comptroller in accordance with applicable accounting requirements.
Section 5. Comptroller Authorization. The City Comptroller is hereby authorized and directed to establish, amend, and maintain such revenue and expenditure accounts, budgetary accounts, and accounting records as may be necessary to receive, appropriate, administer, and expend the grant funds authorized herein.
Section 6. Authorization of Mayor. The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized to execute, on behalf of the City, the grant agreement and any amendments, certifications, assurances, certifications of expenditure, and other documents reasonably necessary to accept and administer the grant, subject to review and approval by the Corporation Counsel as to form and legal sufficiency.
Section 7. Administration of Grant. The Mount Vernon Police Department, through the Department of Public Safety and its authorized personnel, is hereby authorized to administer and expend the grant funds in accordance with the approved DCJS grant budget, the terms and conditions of the grant award, applicable DCJS requirements, applicable City policies and procedures, and all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
Section 8. Certification and Related Documents. The appropriate officers and employees of the City of Mount Vernon, including the Department of Public Safety, Police Department, Comptroller, and other authorized City personnel, are hereby authorized to execute and submit such certification amendments, reimbursement requests, financial reports, program reports, and other documents as may be required by DCJS in connection with the administration and closeout of the grant.
Section 9. No City Match Required. The City Council hereby recognizes and confirms that the DCJS grant requires no City matching funds, and that the total approved project cost of $240,770.00 is supported by the grant award.
Section 10. Compliance with Grant Requirements. All expenditures made pursuant to this Ordinance shall be limited to eligible costs under the approved DCJS grant budget and shall be subject to all applicable grant requirements, procurement requirements, City fiscal controls, and Federal and State laws and regulations.
Section 11. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect any other provision or application of this Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid or unconstitutional provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Ordinance are declared severable.
Section 12. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.