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July 22, 2025
ITEM TITLE
Grant Award 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: 25-0179
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Police
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
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 grant funds in the amount of $53,787 from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and appropriating the funds to the supplies and services category of the Police Grant Section of the Federal Grants Fund. (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
The City of Chula Vista Police Department has been awarded $53,787 in grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program (“Program”). The purpose of this Program is to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of for ensic 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.
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BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Program (the “Coverdell Program”) is administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (“Cal OES”) and provides federal funding to accredited crime laboratories throughout California. Coverdell Program funds can be used to provide education and training in both techni cal and personal skills to California’s forensic scientists to ensure that they can effectively perform their laboratory assignments. In order to receive Coverdell Program federal funding, crime laboratories must verify their accreditation status with a fo rensic crime laboratory organization or appropriate certifying body. The crime laboratories must further 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 City of Chula Vista Police Department (“CVPD”) has been awarded $53,787 in grant funding (the “Grant Funds”) for the 2024 Coverdell Program, covering the grant period from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. The Grant Funds will be used to provide training and equipment for crime laboratory personnel.
Employee training funded by Coverdell Program Grant Funds includes Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Courtroom Testimony, and National Integrated Ballistic Information Ne twork (“NIBIN”) Acquisition Training. The Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis course will cover fundamental principles of bloodstain interpretation, with participants applying these concepts through simulated crime scenes and laboratory exercises. Courtroom Testimony training will focus on proper techniques and best practices for forensic science professionals when presenting expert testimony. NIBIN Acquisition Training will certify a third member of CVPD’s Forensic Services Unit, enhancing the team’s capacity to analyze firearms evidence using the NIBIN system.
In addition, the Grant Funds will cover the cost of a forensic workstation, blocker lockers, wireless portable printer, creative pen display tablet, Faraday charging bags, a stand -up desk converter, and Zone 3D Expert software. The forensic workstation will provide the robust processing power necessary to compile scans, video footage, and other forms of digital evidence. Faraday bags and blocker lockers will help preserve the integrity of mobile devices by preventing remote access or data wiping while in evidence storage. The creative pen display tablet will enable latent print analysts to examine and annotate prints directly on a digital interface using stencils, streamlining workflows and supporting a more efficient, paperless process.
Zone 3D Expert software will be used to perform forensic analysis and convert photographs and scans into 3D renderings for courtroom presentation.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff have reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and have 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. (Gov. Code, §87100, et seq.) P a g e | 3
Staff are not independently aware, and have not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution accepts grant funds in the amount of $53,787 from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and amends the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget by appropriating funds to the supplies and services category of the Police Grant Section of the Federal Grants Fund. There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund. The table below outlines the spending plan for the Coverdell Program grant funds.
DESCRIPTION FY 2025-26
Training Costs for Crime Lab Personnel $12,200
Forensic Workstation $10,095
Blocker Lockers $9,998
Wireless Portable Printer $540
Creative Pen Display Tablet $6,040
Faraday Charging Bags $3,900
Stand Up Desk Converter $720
Zone 3D Expert Software $10,294
TOTAL COVERDELL FUNDING $53,787
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact as a result of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Staff Contact: Chief Roxana Kennedy, Police Department Administrative Services Manager Jonathan Alegre, Police Department