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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-085-09/21/2021-SUPPORTING A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE GRAY AND BLACK MARKET MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT FUNDING FOR FORT RESOLUTION 2021-085 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 State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs ("DOLA") to fund investigation and prosecution of unlicensed marijuana cultivation and distribution operations (the "Project"); 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 statewide by DOLA amongst applicant agencies and district attorneys is $900,000 for FY 2022-2023 Program funding; and WHEREAS, until submittal of an application, FCPS does not know the amount that may be awarded; and WHEREAS, in FY 2021-2022, FCPS received $41,564 from the Program; and WHEREAS, in 2021, Police Services began receiving and investigating complaints of the sale of unregulated Delta-8 THC to minors at local smoke shops (not licensed marijuana businesses); and WHEREAS, black-market grant money was used to fund those investigations and begin regulatory inspections of commercial establishments relative to recent Code changes involving the sale of smoking and vaping products to minors, and this effort will continue if grant funding is procured for 2022; and WHEREAS, the current Program expires on June 30, 2022, and Police Services recommends the continuation of the above referenced grey- and black-market marijuana investigations; and WHEREAS, FCPS has utilized money from this program 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, as part of the Program grant application process, DOLA requires 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 -1- WHEREAS, the grant money would allow FCPS to continue to improve neighborhood livability and provide insight into the extent of the problems associated with unlicensed, illegal marijuana activity in the City. 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 FY 2022-2023 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 21 st day of September, A.D. 2021. OAA ATTEST: z7 i I Interim City Clerk eJ*V