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La Marque council approves multiple public-safety and park grants including COPS award for two officers
Summary
Council approved applications or acceptance for several grants: a catalytic-converter grant application targeting patrol cars and equipment, a GameTime playground grant for Highland Bayou Park, a Patrick Leahy vest grant and a COPS hiring award funding two police officers for the first three years.
At its Oct. 28 meeting the La Marque City Council approved several grant actions covering public safety and parks and accepted one federal hiring award.
City Manager Cesar Garcia told the council staff will apply for the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority catalytic‑converter grant (R‑2024‑0050). Staff described the opportunity as an approximately $470,000 funding round with an 80/20 split; the city’s match was stated as roughly $94,000 from the general fund if awarded. Proposed purchases in the application included five patrol vehicles (staff cited an approximate per‑vehicle cost of $85,000), an all‑terrain vehicle (about $20,000) and approximately $25,000 to cover overtime needed for targeted enforcement activities. Council members asked whether the grant only funds etching/anti‑theft activities; staff said the program title does not strictly limit eligible activities and that vehicle and overtime costs were reasonable uses under the funding rules as they align with qualifying activities.
Council also moved to apply for and accept a GameTime grant for an inclusive playground at Highland Bayou Park. Staff listed the grant award as $92,523.72 and said the local share would be covered by park CIP funds.
On equipment, staff presented acceptance of a $25,934.24 Patrick Leahy bulletproof vest grant (R‑2024‑0052), noting the program requires a 50% match; staff said previously purchased vests or ARPA funds may be proposed to fulfill that match, potentially reducing the city’s new outlay.
Separately, the council accepted approximately $580,624 from the COPS hiring program to fund two full‑time police officers (R‑2024‑0053). Staff said the city secured a waiver that will fund the two officer positions at 100% for the first three years of employment under the grant award.
Each of these grant motions was approved by the council at the meeting. Staff will return with grant‑acceptance paperwork or next steps as required by each program, and will identify specific procurement or accounting actions needed to implement purchases and hires.
Vote outcomes: Council approved the applications and acceptances by voice vote during the meeting; staff recorded that those items passed.
