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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Authorization to Accept Grant Funds in the amount of $54,450 from Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program, for digital forensics software licensing for the Verdugo Regional Crime Laboratory.
1. Motion authorizing acceptance of the 2025 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant and authorizing the City Manager, or a designee, to execute the necessary agreements, certification, and other documents required to accept the Grant.
2. Resolution of Appropriation to appropriate $54,450 in 2025 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant funds.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved for July 14, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Glendale Police Department requests acceptance of $54,450 in grant funds from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for the grant period of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, to be used for software licensing in the Verdugo Regional Crime Laboratory (VRCL).
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the 2025 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant funds in the amount of $54,450, authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary agreements, certification, and other documents required to implement the Grant, and adopt a resolution to appropriate the funds for software licensing.
ANALYSIS
Over the last twenty years law enforcement investigative techniques have evolved due to advances in technology. These advances have placed increased demands on a computer forensics laboratory to conduct examinations of evidence obtained from mobile devices and cloud data. As changes are rapidly occurring, it is incumbent upon laboratories to stay abreast of developments within the field of digital evidence examination to best serve law enforcement and the public with examination of submitted evidence. 5a2
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The VRCL uses software to efficiently acquire and preserve digital evidence submitted by investigators for analysis. Since 2021, the VRCL has utilized grant funds to purchase licenses for Magnet Forensics’ GrayKey Premier subscription, which allows for analysis of both Android and iOS phones. FY25 Paul Coverdell grant funds will be used to purchase an additional one-year GrayKey Premier software subscription package, which includes two GrayKey devices, unlimited successful unlocks, software upgrades, and maintenance.
In April 2023, City Council authorized execution of subsequent software licensing agreements for the life of the software, subject to budget availability.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Grant funds will be used to improve the quality of forensic testing services provided to customer agencies and the public.
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY2025 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program grant in the amount of $54,450 was not included as part of the FY2026-27 approved budget. The grant does not require matching funds. Therefore, staff is requesting an appropriation of $54,450 from grant revenue. The appropriation request is outlined below:
Requesting Appropriation
Amount From (Account
String)
To (Account String) Funding Source
$54,450 GL: 31240-2610-
GPD-0020-P0000-
T0000-F0000
PL: GPD01610AG
Police Fund
$54,450 GL:44700-2610-
GPD-0020-P0000-
T0000-F0000
PL: GPD01610AG
Police Fund
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
This item is considered a ministerial activity and therefore, not subjected to CEQA/NEPA review. There is no possibility that the acceptance of this award may have a significant effect on the environment. (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15061(b)(3)).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
The names and business addresses of the members of the board of directors, the chairperson, CEO, COO, CFO, Subcontractors and any person or entity with more than 10% interest in the company proposed for contract in this Agenda Item Report are attached in Exhibit A, in accordance with the City Campaign Finance Ordinance No. 5744. 5a3
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ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Deny the Police Department’s request. Expenses for software would have to be absorbed by the Police Department’s budget.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Robert William, Interim Police Chief
Prepared by:
Catherine Nguyen, Lab Director
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A: Campaign Disclosures for Magnet Forensics, LLC.