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A resolution approving an application for a Community-Based Traffic Safety Enforcement and Education grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, to conduct sustained, highly visible, and proactive traffic enforcement addressing impaired driving, distracted driving, occupant protection, older drivers, teen drivers, bicycle and pedestrian safety, motorcycle safety, and speeding (including in work zones).
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WHEREAS, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office is accepting applications for a Community-Based Traffic Safety Enforcement and Education grant for local law enforcement agencies to conduct sustained, highly visible, and proactive traffic enforcement addressing impaired driving, distracted driving, occupant protection, older drivers, teen drivers, bicycle and pedestrian safety, motorcycle safety, and speeding (including in work zones); and,
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department is eligible to apply for this grant program; and,
WHEREAS, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office required MNPD to submit the grant application by March 31, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, in order to meet the grant application deadline, a staff member of MNPD had to submit the grant application on March 29, 2024, without first being able to obtain conditional Mayoral approval or Council approval; and,
WHEREAS, MNPD has discussed this situation with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office has agreed to hold evaluation of the grant application until Council has approved the application; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Metropolitan Code of Laws § 5.04.075(A), MNPD requests that the Metropolitan Council approve the grant application as submitted; and,
WHEREAS, it is to the benefit of the citizens of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that this grant application be accepted.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the grant application of the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, for a Community-Based Traffic Safety Enforcement and Education grant, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein, is hereby approved as submitted on March 29, 2024.
Section 2. That this resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This resolution would approve a grant application submitted by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (“MNPD”) to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (“THSO”). The application is for a Community-Based Traffic Safety Enforcement and Education grant worth an estimated $710,000 with no cash match required.
The grant would be used to pay officer overtime, purchase radar and lidar equipment, and to attend additional training conferences as part of an effort to reduce crashes from impairing driving, speeding, and distracted driving.
MNPD is eligible to apply for this grant but faced a submission deadline of March 31, 2024, from THSO. A staff member from MNPD submitted the grant application on March 29, 2024, without conditional approval from the Mayor’s Office or the Council. MNPD discussed the issue with THSO, which agreed to not evaluate the grant application until the Council approved the application.