TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all necessary documents to receive and expend grant funding from the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant; and increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund (SR) and in the Police Department (PD) by $95,000. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Police Department was recently awarded grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant (Coverdell 05) in the amount of $95,000. The grant monies will be used to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science and/or eliminate backlogs in the analysis of forensic evidence. Examples of activities that will be funded by this grant include camera purchases for casework documentation and court presentations, adding a digital imaging system microscope to capture, archiving and searching color images for case comparison, purchasing new balances to measure weights of bullets, bullet fragments and controlled substances, and payment of overtime to reduce case backlog and perform database entry of old and unsolved homicide cases.
This item was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard Anthony on November 9, 2005 and Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on November 11,2005.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on November 22, 2005, to expedite use of the grant funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
As the Coverdell 05 is currently unbudgeted, an appropriation increase is included in the recommendation. The expense appropriation will be fully offset by grant revenues and the grant does not require matching funds. There is no impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ANTHONY BATTS
CHIEF OF POLICE