Ordinance No. 15,841 ORDINANCE NO. 15,841
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS, AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
CONCERNING THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESCUE ALLIANCE FOR THE
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, TO ENHANCE COLLABORATION
BETWEEN PARTICIPATING ENTITIES AND TO ASSIST IN MEETING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION'S
FY2024 ENHANCED COLLABORATIVE MODEL GRANT; AND
PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
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BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN, TEXAS:
Section l: That the City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas, hereby authorizes the
City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Human Trafficking Rescue
Alliance of the Southern District of Texas, to enhance collaboration between participating entities
and to assist in meeting the requirements of the Bureau of Justice Administration's FY2024
Enhanced Collaborative Model grant. A copy of said agreement is attached hereto, marked
Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein for all intents and purposes.
Section 2: This ordinance shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by the
City Council of the City of Baytown.
INTRODUCED, READ, and PASSED by the affirmative vote of the City Council of the
City of Baytown this the 27th day of June, 2024.
DON CAPETILLOI Mayor
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APPROVED AS O FORM.� ___
SCOTT LE OND, City Attorney
R^,Vance Hinds Ordinances 2024 2024.06.27 Ordinance Authorizing a MOU Concerning the Human Trafficking Rescue Alhancc.docx
Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance EXHIBIT "A"
Southern District of Texas
Dennis J.Mark-HTRA Task Force Coordinator
7277 Regency Square Blvd.
9 Y 4
` Houston,TX 77036
Dennis.MarkJr@houstonpolice.org
Desk-832-894-1363
Memorandum of Understanding
Mission Statement
The Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance of the Southern District of Texas is an entity
formed by an Memorandum of Understanding with the agencies Houston Police
Department, YMCA International Services, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District
of Texas, U.S. Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department
of Homeland Security — Homeland Security Investigations, and Texas Department of
Public Safety— Criminal Investigations Division, hereinafter referred to as HTRA.
HTRA is the collaborative entity of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies
working together with area social service organizations to (1) identify victims of all types
of human trafficking; (2) engage in coordinated approaches for proactive victim-centered,
trauma-informed investigations; (3) investigate, refer, and prosecute both sex and labor
trafficking cases (including the purchasers of commercial sex) at local, state, tribal, and
federal levels, and (4) address the individualized need of trafficking victims through the
provision of a comprehensive array of quality trauma-informed, evidenced-based
services.
The (City of Baytown Police Department), hereinafter referred to as (BPD), is an
identified agency that will further enhance collaboration and assist in meeting the
requirements of the Bureau of Justice Administration's FY2024 Enhanced Collaborative
Model grant. In good faith, the (BPD) agrees to support the overall mission of HTRA to
identify and assist victims of human trafficking and to pro-actively investigate, identify,
apprehend, and prosecute the perpetrators of human trafficking, including the purchasers
of commercial sex. In order to facilitate the goals of the mission statement, the (BPD)
agrees to and including, but not limited to, the following participation:
• Employing data-driven decisions based on a shared understanding of the
prevalence, scope, and nature of human trafficking within the targeted geographic
area and develop a plan for ongoing assessment of task force operations and
objectives to include routine data collection, analysis, and data sharing.
• Conduct pro-active investigations, identifying victims of Human Trafficking and
assisting with investigations at the local, state, and federal levels as appropriate
• Engaging in coordinated approaches for proactive victim-centered investigations
and developing programs to divert sex sellers from arrest into community services
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Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance Southern District of Texas MOU
• Provide victims and witnesses notification of services available to human trafficking
victims in all cases brought for prosecution by the Victim Witness Coordinator
• Identify training needs, public awareness, and outreach related to human
trafficking crimes within the agency and community and participate in HTRA
meetings when available
• Provide assistance with the development and coordination of training for law
enforcement and victim service providers
• Provide support for HTRA members
Miscellaneous Provisions:
1) Party Responsible for Employees. During the period of assignment to HTRA, all
Parties will remain responsible for all salaries of their employees, including paying
all required federal income taxes for employees, and providing all health insurance,
workers compensation, liability insurance or self-insurance coverage and benefits.
2) No Waiver of Immunities of Defenses. Nothing herein shall be construed as
creating any personal liability on the part of any officers or agent of any public body
as a result of executing this MOU. The Parties agree that no provision of this MOU
is any way intended to constitute a waiver of any limitations or defense from suit
or liability that a Party, its officers, employees, or agents may have by operation of
law. Neither the execution of this MOU or nor any conduct of any Party relating to
this MOU shall be considered a waiver of any right or defense under federal law,
the Texas Constitution, the laws of the State of Texas.
3) No Certification of Funds. The Parities understand and agree such understanding
and agreement being of the essence of this MOU, that HTRA has not certified any
grant funds under this MOU and no Party shall bring a cause of action against
HTRA for payment of any grant funds hereunder.
4) Termination. A Party may terminate at any time without cause by giving 30 days'
notice to HTRA. Notice may be hand delivered to HTRA, or to a specified address
provided by HTRA with a receipt obtained for such delivers. Notice is deemed
delivered when a receipt is obtained by HTRA is given or when place in the U.S.
Mail, certified mail, return receipt requested.
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"All for Justice"
Signatures:
(City of Baytown Police Department) Representative
(BPD) Signature Date
(BPD) Representative Name Title
HTRA
HTRA Representative Signature Date
HTRA Representative Name Title
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"All for Justice"