Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Police was awarded funding through the FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program from the National Institute of Justice. This federally supported program seeks to improve the infrastructure and analysis capacity of existing state and local crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis so they can process DNA samples efficiently and cost effectively. Funds have been awarded for DNA analysis supplies, overtime for current analysts to work on casework, salary and fringe benefits for one year for hiring a new Forensic Scientist and funds for training the current and new DNA analysts in the latest technologies in this ever-evolving field. The cost breakdown for this grant award is: personnel base pay, overtime and fringe benefits = $80,277.00, DNA testing supplies = $124,684.00 and training = $10,500.00.
These grant funds will help the Division of Police Crime Lab to process DNA samples efficiently and reduce the wait time for DNA case analysis. The official city program contact authorized to act in connection with this $215,461.00 grant is Crime Lab Manager, Jami St. Clair.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is needed to complete the acceptance and make the awarded funds available as soon as possible to begin the hiring and purchasing processes. The grant award period start date is October 1, 2009.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an acceptance of the $215,461.00 grant award and the appropriation of those funds from the National Institute of Justice to improve DNA analysis. There is no fiscal impact on the General Fund budget. No matching funds are required and all grant expenditures will be reimbursed by the grant awarded funding.
Title
To authorize and direct the Mayor of the City of Columbus to accept a FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program award from the National Institute of Justice; to authorize the Crime Lab Manager as the official city representative to act in connection with this grant; to authorize an appropriation of $215,461.00 from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund to the Division of Police to cover the cost of the FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Grant Program activities and expenditures; and to declare an emergency. ($215,461.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The Division of Police has been awarded funding through a FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program Grant from the National Institute of Justice for DNA supplies, training and overtime funds for Crime Lab DNA analysts, and funding for the salary and fringe benefits for a newly hired Forensic Scientist for one year; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Police Crime Lab needs supplies, training and staff to aid in processing DNA samples more efficiently and cost effectively; and
WHEREAS, Crime Lab Manager Jami St. Clair has been identified as the official city representative to act in connection with this FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program Grant and to provide information as required; and
WHEREAS, the grant award period begins on October 1, 2009 and completion of the city legislative processes are necessary to begin the grant funded activities; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize and direct the Mayor of the City of Columbus to accept a FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program award, to authorize Crime Lab Manager Jami St. Clair as the official city representative for the grant and authorize an appropriation for the grant, thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor of the City of Columbus is hereby authorized and directed to accept a FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program Grant for DNA supplies, training, and DNA analyst personnel costs for the Columbus Police Crime Lab.
SECTION 2. That Crime Lab Manager Jami St. Clair is designated as the official city program contact, is authorized to act in connection with the FY2009 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program Grant, and is to provide any additional information required.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies in the General Government Grant Fund and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purposes during the grant period the sum of $215,461.00 is appropriated as follows:
DIV FUND OBJ LEVEL (1) OBJ LEVEL (3) OCA GRANT AWARD
30-03 220 01 1101 339039 338039 $ 44,408.00
30-03 220 01 1102 339039 339039 $ 8,195.00
30-03 220 01 1121 339039 339039 $ 5,260.00
30-03 220 01 1150 339039 339039 $ 11,162.00
30-03 220 01 1160 339039 339039 $ 7,364.00
30-03 220 01 1171 339039 339039 $ 763.00
30-03 220 01 1173 339039 339039 $ 3,125.00
30-03 220 02 2203 339039 339039 $124,684.00
30-03 220 03 3330 339039 339039 $ 8,000.00
30-03 220 03 3331 339039 339039 $ 2,500.00
SECTION 4. That the monies appropriated on the foregoing Section 3 shall be paid upon order of the Director of Public Safety; and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.