HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 08/20/2019 - RESOLUTION 2019-086 SUPPORTING A GRANT APPLICATIONAgenda Item 14
Item # 14 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY August 20, 2019
City Council
STAFF
Ginny Sawyer, Policy and Project Manager
Bronwyn Scurlock, Legal
SUBJECT
Resolution 2019-086 Supporting a Grant Application for Gray and Black Market Marijuana Enforcement
Funding for Fort Collins Police Services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to obtain Council support for the City to apply for grant money to support
enforcement of gray- and black-market marijuana activity for Fort Collins Police Services.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
“Gray Market” is a term that refers to marijuana grown legally then sold which would be illegal. A scenario
would be where someone has a medical card with an “extended plant count” which may allow them to grow up
to 99 plants. Instead of using the product for their own medical needs, they sell it on the black market either
locally or more likely to someone in another state.
For the past two years, the State has made grant funding available to help address unlicensed and illegal
marijuana activity in Colorado. In 2019, the District Attorney’s Office was awarded approximately $120,000 in
grant funds to which Police Services had access. Some of these dollars were used to acquire long-term
storage for evidence seized in black-market investigations. Additional funds were used to provide staff to
investigate cases and dismantle black-market grow operations in Fort Collins neighborhoods and regionally.
The District Attorney’s Office has elected not to pursue the grant again. The City is eligible to apply for grant
funds directly and Police Services would like to pursue second year funding to continue local neighborhood
marijuana investigations. Grant dollars can help to provide additional resources to existing staff without having
a direct impact on City budget.
Investigations completed to date have not only addressed criminal activity but also improved neighborhood
livability and provided insight into the level of unlicensed/illegal marijuana activity in the community. With
additional insight and knowledge, Police Services can address staffing needs and priorities through both
current assignments and future budget offers.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The decision does not impact City finances. Support of the Resolution allows Police Services to apply to the
State for these grant dollars. If the grant is awarded, the City will serve as the fiscal agent for the funds and will
seek an appropriation at that time.
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RESOLUTION 2019-086
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING A GRANT APPLICATION FOR GRAY AND BLACK MARKET
MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT FUNDING FOR FORT COLLINS POLICE SERVICES
WHEREAS, Fort Collins Police Services (“FCPS”) is applying for a grant through the
Gray and Black Market Marijuana Enforcement Grant Program (the “Program”) from the
Department of Local Affairs (“DOLA”) to fund investigation and prosecution of unlicensed
marijuana cultivation and distribution operations; and
WHEREAS, the Program provides financial assistance to local law enforcement agencies
and district attorneys through local governments; and
WHEREAS, the total amount of grant money to be dispersed amongst agencies and
district attorneys that apply is $5.8 million; and
WHEREAS, until submittal of an application, FCPS does not know the amount that may
be awarded; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the District Attorney (the “DA”) was awarded approximately
$120,000 in grant funds to fund investigation and prosecution of unlicensed marijuana
cultivation and distribution operations in Fort Collins (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, FCPS utilized that money to acquire long-term evidence storage units for
illegal black-market marijuana, and for an increase in staffing to help with investigations of
black-market grow operations in the City; and
WHEREAS, the DA has elected not to pursue additional grant money from the Program;
and
WHEREAS, the City is eligible to directly apply for a grant through the Program, and
FCPS has recommended that the City apply for grant funds to continue black-market marijuana
investigations; and
WHEREAS, as part of its grant application process, there is a requirement that the
governing body of any entity applying for grant funds pass a resolution to show that it is aware
of and supports the application, and recognizes the obligations the grant creates; and
WHEREAS, the City would not be required to provide any matching funds toward the
Project; and
WHEREAS, the grant money would allow FCPS to continue to improve neighborhood
livability and provide insight into the extent of the problem associated with unlicensed, illegal
marijuana activity in the City.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS, as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That the City Council hereby supports the City’s application for a grant
through the Program from DOLA to fund the Project; and
Section 3. That if the grant is awarded, the City Council supports the completion of
the Project.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
20th day of August, A.D. 2019.
_________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
City Clerk