TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Los Angeles, for use of the Real Property Index and Vital Records Index, at no cost, for a period of two years, with the option to renew for five additional one-year periods. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested for the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County of Los Angeles (LAC), for use of the Real Property Index (RPI) and the Vital Records Index (VRI). This MOU will establish each parties’ responsibilities regarding online access to LAC’s Registrar-Records/County Clerk System to view RPI and VRI for the investigation of real estate crimes.
LBPD is responsible for investigating real estate fraud. Access to RPI will be used to obtain recorded real estate documents to establish the crime of real estate fraud. Additionally, VRI is used to determine a person’s relationship or standing to the subject real estate transaction or property in question. LBPD provides copies of recorded real estate and vital records to the LAC District Attorney when filing criminal cases involving fraud.
Under the terms of the MOU, LBPD agrees to view RPI and VRI for the sole purpose of conducting official departmental business. LBPD will not provide RPI and VRI information to any person, agency, or business without express written consent of LAC. LAC will provide these services to LBPD at no cost. However, in the event that any unforeseen costs or fees are incurred by LAC in connection to LBPD’s online access, LAC will notify LBPD in advance of imposing fees and execute an amendment. Either party may terminate the MOU with 30 days written notice.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Monica J. Kilaita on June 8, 2018 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on June 20, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 10, 2018, to ensure the MOU is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no expected fiscal impact associated with this recommendation. However, in the event that any unforeseen fees are imposed, costs will be absorbed by existing appropriations in the General Fund (GF) in the Police Department (PD). There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT G. LUNA
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER