R2023-119 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Grant Agreement between the City of Decatur and State of Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity for Community Development and Violence Prevention

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Proposal for a Decatur Community Development & Violence Prevention Plan based on the O.J.J.D.P. Model An effective model for addressing street violence, and, in particular, gang-related or group- involved street violence, is the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's(OJJDP) Comprehensive Gang Prevention, Intervention, and Suppression Model. This model involves implementing complementary and coordinated prevention, intervention, and suppression activities in a single community at the same time. By implementing community-appropriate prevention, intervention and suppression strategies, a city can hope to reduce street-level violence, decrease recidivism, and produce a safer,healthier community. The referenced model is explained by Megan Alderden and published by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority(see attached). It is based on the experience of Illinois cities that parallel the Decatur experience, and provides a framework for the proposal below. Using this model, the city of Decatur proposes to deploy $1 million in specially allocated funds earmarked for the city of Decatur by Senator Doris Turner in the State of Illinois' FY 2022-2023 budget for this purpose,plus an additional $300,000 in other city of Decatur monies and ARPA/CDBG funds to make this integrated initiative successful. ARPA/CDBG funds already allocated to this project were authorized by the Decatur City Council in its 2022 budget for companion programs listed below and which advance the same objectives. The goal of this new initiative is to reduce street level violence and shootings, and enhance neighborhood stability, by using the OJJDP's 3- pronged strategy in ways that enhance the city's ongoing community development objectives. Prevention & Intervention Strategies 1. Contract with The Tjaty Group to develop adolescent leadership,problem-solving and non-violent/safe behaviors training using curriculum developed by the Pacific Institute. $50,000/year x 4 (city funds) 2. Involve at-risk young adults in job training and short-term employment programs that also develop skills in crisis intervention and de-escalation of high stress situations by funding contracts for city clean-up and rehabilitation services with community partners. These partnerships with existing local non-profit organizations, some of which are already in place or have already commenced, include: Shemilah Outreach, Old Kings Orchard Community Center, Good Samaritan Inn, and Boys& Girls Club of Decatur. $200,000 (half city funds, half Turner grant funds) 3. Prepare, clear, and re-purpose for agricultural use approximately seven(7) acres of city- owned land, concentrated on three city blocks in the center of the Old Kings Orchard neighborhood, and lease this acreage for$1 to Good Samaritan Inn,Inc. for them to expand their Mercy Garden programs. Good Samaritan Inn has agreed to enlarge and scale-up their programs to train at-risk youth,homeless adults and persons who have experienced chronic barriers to obtaining reliable long-term employment if the city makes this expenditure (Good Samaritan already serves this population and their program