Grants Boost Elk Grove Cameras

Elk Grove is moving on two separate tracks that fit the broad outline of more cameras and more accessibility work, but they come from different programs and different funding sources. On April 8, the City Council approved a sixth amendment to its contract with Flock Group, Inc. for automatic license plate readers and its public safety operating system. On May 13, the council also established a new ACCESS incentive program for small-business accessibility upgrades, and city grant documents show federal Community Development Block Grant money continues to support accessibility improvements and other public-facility work. The city’s own grant pages do not show a single newly announced award that directly bundles surveillance-camera upgrades with accessibility work in one package. Instead, the record points to a set of related actions: a police technology contract change, a new accessibility incentive program, and annual grant funding streams that can support public-facility improvements. (elkgrove.gov) ### Which camera move did Elk Grove actually approve? The Elk Grove City Council approved Resolution No. 2026-058 on April 8 authorizing the city manager to execute the sixth amendment to the Flock Group contract for automatic license plate readers and the Flock OS public safety platform. The resolution set the amendment amount at $194,100 and raised the total contract ceiling to $1,630,808 through April 25, 2028. (elkgrove.gov) The resolution says the amendment does not expand the overall program scope. Instead, it modifies the existing camera inventory by replacing some standard ALPR cameras with long-distance units and reassessing deployment locations to improve coverage, read accuracy and investigative effectiveness. ### Is that the same thing as a general city grant? (elkgrove.gov) The Flock action was a contract amendment, not a nonprofit grant award. The April 8 resolution authorized a police technology purchase under the city’s contracting rules and allowed future amendments for camera quantities and pricing as long as total compensation does not rise above the approved amount. (elkgrove.gov) Elk Grove’s grants program, by contrast, covers Community Development Block Grants, Community Service Grants and Event Sponsorship Grants. The city says CDBG and CSG funding supports public service activities, housing programs and public facility improvements, with CDBG backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ### Where does accessibility funding fit in? The City Council on May 13 considered and approved the Accessibility Compliance to Create Equitable Small Business Spaces, or ACCESS, Incentive Program. (elkgrove.gov) The staff report says the program is meant to fund proactive, CASp-informed accessibility improvements for commercial spaces and to help businesses comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and California building standards. (elkgrove.gov) The program offers reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible accessibility-improvement costs, including CASp inspections, construction, equipment and installation, capped at $10,000 per commercial space, according to the resolution summary. The staff report says the city collects a $4 business-license fee under state law to increase access to Certified Access Specialists and provide financial assistance for small-business accessibility improvements. (elkgrove.gov) ### What do the city’s grant documents say about public spaces? Elk Grove’s grants page says the city has used CDBG funds since 2003 to support senior and youth programs, nonprofit facility upgrades, housing programs and accessibility improvements throughout the city. A January 5 city notice for the 2026-27 cycle said funded activities have included accessibility improvements among other services for income-qualified residents. (elkgrove.gov) The city’s draft 2026-27 Action Plan says Elk Grove expects to receive $948,393 in CDBG funds and $357,251.29 in HOME funds for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, plus $448,348 in reprogrammed CDBG money from prior years. Those documents describe the federal funds as supporting housing and community development needs that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents. (elkgrove.gov) ### What happens next? The city’s grants page says the FY 2026-27 application period is closed and the next cycle is expected to open in January 2027. The same page says annual award amounts remain subject to funding and City Council approval through the budget process. May 13 is also the latest dated council milestone in the record for these programs. On that date, the council considered the ACCESS program and adopted the 2026-27 Action Plan tied to HUD funding, according to city agenda materials and resolution records. (elkgrove.gov) (elkgrove.gov) (elkgrove.gov)