Title
An Ordinance approving the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the City of Lee’s Summit for the use of Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Award Funds, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same on behalf of the City. (F&BC 8/5/24)
Body
Issue/Request:
An Ordinance approving the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the City of Lee’s Summit for the use of Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Award Funds, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same on behalf of the City.
Key Issues:
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (“ONDCP”) has awarded 2024 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (“HIDTA”) funding to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in the region comprised of the states of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota for the purpose of combating the manufacture and importation of methamphetamine and the disruption of poly-drug trafficking organizations. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (“KBI”) is the designated fiscal agent for award proceeds to be distributed to state and local agencies participating in the Midwest HIDTA program within the region.
In July 2024, the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri (“City”) was awarded $76,572.00 from the Midwest HIDTA award. Under the proposed memorandum of understanding, the City designates one Lee’s Summit Police Department (“LSPD”) officer to work on a special task force known as the Kansas City/Overland Park DEA Task Force. The City’s awarded funds will help fund the designated LSPD officer.
The mission of the task force is to disrupt the illicit drug traffic in the Kansas City area by immobilizing targeted violators and trafficking organizations, gather and report intelligence data relating to trafficking in narcotics and dangerous drugs; and conducting undercover operations where appropriate and engage in other traditional methods of investigation in order that the task force's activities will result in effective prosecution before the courts of the United States and the States of Kansas and Missouri.
Partnering with the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration will provide a force multiplier and assist the LSPD with combating and investigating local cases of controlled substances distribution, manufacturing, and abuse.
The term of the award starts January 1, 2024 and finishes December 31, 2025.
Impact/Analysis:
This continued partnership will provide necessary support to the LSPD officer assigned to the task force including salary, vehicles, fuel, mobile phone, office space and supplies, travel funds, funds for the purchase of evidence and information, investigative equipment, training and overtime during the term of this agreement.
The LSPD will be able to force multiply with the DEA in combating locally the trafficking of controlled substances.
Proposed Committee Motion:
I move to recommend to the City Council approval of an ordinance approving the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the City of Lee’s Summit for the use of Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Award Funds, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same on behalf of the City.
Proposed City Council Motions:
FIRST MOTION: I move for a second reading of an ordinance approving the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the City of Lee’s Summit for the use of Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Award Funds, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same on behalf of the City.
SECOND MOTION: I move for adoption of an ordinance approving the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the City of Lee’s Summit for the use of Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Award Funds, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same on behalf of the City.
Presenter
Major Nicole Walters, Police Department
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval.
Committee Recommendation
A motion was made by Councilmember DeMoro, seconded by Councilmember Carlyle, that TMP-3070 be recommended for approval to the City Council. The motion carried by a unanimous 3-0 vote (Mayor Pro Tem Lopez "Absent").