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September 12, 2023
ITEM TITLE
Grant Acceptance and Appropriation: Accept a Grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program and Appropriate Funds
Report Number: 2023-0211
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Police
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution accepting $5 4,893 in grant funds from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and appropriating the funds to the Police Grants Section of the Federal Grants Fund for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program. (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
The Police Department has been awarded grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program . The goal of this program is to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services over current operations.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
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DISCUSSION
The Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Program (Coverdell Program) is administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and provides federal funding t o accredited crime laboratories throughout California . Coverdell Program funds can be used to provide education and training in both technical and personal skills to California’s forensic scientists to ensure that they can effectively perform their laboratory assignments. In order to receive these funds, the crime laboratories must verify their accreditation status with a Forensic Crime laboratory organization or appropriate certifying body. The crime laboratories must also certify that they have a plan in place to conduct an independent external investigation into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct by laboratory employees or contractors.
The Police Department has been awarded $54,893 for the 2022 Coverdell Program, covering a grant period of April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. This funding will be used to provide training and equipment used by crime laboratory personnel.
Employee training funded by Coverdell Program grant funds include Crime Scene Investigations Workshop, Courtroom Testimony and Serial Number Restoration. The Crime Scene Investigations workshop will teach proper techniques for processing a crime scene . Courtroom Testimony training will instruct proper testimony techniques to forensic science professionals . The Serial Number Resto ration training involves hands-on use of methods/techniques used to restore/recover serial numbers from firearms that have been obliterated.
Additionally, the grant funding will cover the costs of a camera and monitor, Faraday bags, and evidence management system enhancement. The digital camera and monitor setup will be used for triaging firearms evidence, resulting in more efficient operations. Faraday bags allow phones to be charged and protected from remote wiping while stored as evidence . Additional licenses will be purchased to enhance the Police Department’s evidence management system (FileOnQ), creating a portal for officer to access, read and print casefiles generated by Crime Laboratory personnel.
To document crime scenes effectively and efficien tly, grant funds will also be used to purchase a 3D laser scanner. The scanner will have validated capabilities to document scenes, take accurate measurements of all items within a scene, conduct bullet trajectory analysis, and 2D and 3D measurements of bloodstains within the scene. Benefits of a 3D crime scene scanner include the ability to clear the scene and re-open to the public more quickly, provide court -ready documentation as evidence, and eliminating the need to return to the crime scene for further investigation.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been infor med by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
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CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will result in a one -time appropriation $54,893 in grant revenues, offset by appropriations of $29,893 to the supplies and services category and $25,000 to the capital category of the Police Grant Section of the Federal Grants Fund. The table below outlines the spending plan for the Coverdell Program grant funds.
DESCRIPTION FY 2023-24
Training Costs for Crime Lab Personnel $9,578
Camera and Monitor for Triage of Firearms Evidence $1,500 Faraday Bags $4,400
Enhance Evidence Management System $14,415
3D Crime Scene Scanner $25,000
TOTAL COVERDELL FUNDING $54,893
Funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will completely offset the se costs, resulting in no net fiscal impact to the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact as a result of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Staff Contact: Jonathan Alegre, Police Department
Chief Roxana Kennedy, Police Department