REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
July 14, 2020
FROM
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title v
Accept Grant Award for the 2019 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept grant award from the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in the amount of $73,265 for the 2019 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program to provide training for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator Crime Lab personnel from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
2. Designate the Chief Executive Officer to execute the grant award documents and any subsequent non-substantive amendments necessary on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Chief Executive Officer to transmit all documents and amendments in relation to this grant award to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: John Ades, Captain, 387-0640)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). This grant award in the amount of $73,265 will provide funding for tuition, transportation, meals and lodging for Crime Lab personnel to attend training in six specific disciplines. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s (Department) 2020-21 budget. No matching funds are required.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Cal OES received federal funds in the amount of $2,037,981 for the 2019 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program (Grant) to improve the quality, timeliness and credibility of forensic science and medical examiner services. Funds are allocated to the State’s accredited forensic laboratories based upon established criteria. Cal OES requires the County to designate an “Authorized Official” to execute the grant award documents. The application submitted by the Department lists the Chief Executive Officer as the Authorized Official. The Certification of Assurance of Compliance further requires a County official to designate the Authorized Official. The Department’s application designated the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors to make this certification.
On January 7, 2020 (Item No. 34) the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the submission of the Grant application to Cal OES. The award notification was released on May 19, 2020 and is being submitted to the Board for approval at the first available meeting date after completion of the review process. The Grant term is January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. The Department’s allocation of $73,265 will be used to supplement the Crime Lab’s operational training budget. This grant will provide training in six disciplines: 1) general forensics, 2) firearms, 3) trace evidence, 4) blood alcohol, 5) controlled substances and 6) crime scene investigation. This additional training will increase the knowledge of the lab’s staff with the goal of increased efficiency and faster turn-around time in analyzing evidence. The Department can submit claims for reimbursement retroactively from April 24, 2020, however, no expenditures related to this program have been incurred by the Department to date.
The grant award was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be exempt from future environmental review in accordance with 14 California Code of Regulations §15061(b)(3), "it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment," and 14 California Code of Regulations §15321(b) as law enforcement activities by peace officers acting under any law providing a criminal sanction. The County made this finding on January 7, 2020, and fulfilled its obligation under CEQA for this project with the filing and posting of the Notice of Exemption by the Clerk of the Board.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Richard D. Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 9, 2020; Finance (Carolina Mendoza, Administrative Analyst, 387-0294) on June 17, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Kelly Welty, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on June 17, 2020.