REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 15, 2020
FROM
G. CHRISTOPHER GARDNER, Chair, Law and Justice Group
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Justice for the 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept a grant award (Award 2020-VD-BX-1768) from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, under the 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program, in the amount of $204,217, for the period of January 20, 2020 through January 31, 2022.
2. Authorize the Chair of the Law and Justice Group, or his or her designee, as required by the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program, to electronically submit all documents and forms required for acceptance of the 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program grant.
3. Direct the Chair of the Law and Justice Group, or his or her designee, to transmit all documents and amendments in relation to the grant award agreements to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: G. Christopher Gardner, Public Defender and Law and Justice Group Chair, 382-7650)
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 Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost); no matching funds are required. The County will receive a total of $204,217. Appropriation and revenue adjustments will be included in a future agenda item presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On March 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance announced the availability of grant funds to the state and local units of government through the 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF 2020) Program. The CESF 2020 Program will provide funding to assist eligible states, local units of government, and tribes in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus. Allowable projects and purchases include, but are not limited to, overtime, equipment (including law enforcement and medical personal protective equipment), hiring, supplies (such as gloves, masks, sanitizer), training, travel expenses, and addressing the medical needs of inmates in state, local, and tribal prisons, jails, and detention centers.
On May 19, 2020 (Item No. 42), the Board approved submission of a grant application to the DOJ for the 2020 CESF Program, in the amount of $204,217. The submission deadline of May 29, 2020 was met. On June 8, 2020, DOJ sent notice that the 2020 CESF grant application was approved for the full $204,217 amount available. The period of performance is January 20, 2020 to January 31, 2022, and allows the County to claim expenditures during the entire grant period, including retroactive costs if necessary. There is no impact to services due to the terms of the grant period.
The County of San Bernardino Law and Justice Group requested the 2020 CESF Program funding to establish or enhance internet connectivity between courthouses and County detention facilities including Central Detention Center, Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center, High Desert Detention Center, West Valley Detention Center, and Juvenile Hall, in order to facilitate virtual court appearances. This will be achieved through improvement to the infrastructure at County detention centers including internet access and bandwidth, and the provision of additional dedicated access points for all law and justice partners and related necessary additional audio-video equipment.
The Group is requesting Board approval of the CESF 2020 award, in accordance with County Policy 05-13.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Katherine Hardy, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5437) on August 13, 2020; Finance (Allegra Pajot, Administrative Analyst, 387-5005) on August 4, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Kelly Welty, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on August 4, 2020.