Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Mayor of the City of Columbus to accept a grant award in the amount of $30,000.00 from the State of Ohio, Department of Public Safety Office of Criminal Justice Services ("OCJS") for a Digital Forensics Upgrade project and to appropriate the funds needed to cover the costs of the program.
On February 1, 2013, OCJS released the ARRA JAG Special Solicitation for Law Enforcement Request for Proposals, resulting from ARRA JAG program overage funding. The Columbus Division of Police ("CPD") identified an eligible project to be completed within the short 5 month award period, effective April 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013. CPD submitted a proposal, on behalf of the Computer Crimes Digital Forensic Unit, seeking to upgrade and expand evidence examination and recovery capabilities through the purchase of new forensic laboratory computer equipment, software updates and data storage supplies. The Digital Forensic Unit personnel use specialized computer equipment to unlock, extract and evaluate digital evidence (ie: seized computers/cell phones/iPads, etc.) for investigation and prosecution purposes. This grant award will increase the unit's ability to process forensic casework with new software and equipment.
Acceptance of the grant for the proposed project upgrades and enhancements will maximize the city's ability to examine and efficiently process the growing digital forensic casework and to continue providing necessary services to local, regional and federal partners, keeping pace with the latest technological advancements used in criminal activity.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency legislation is necessary for funds to be available for the project activities at the earliest possible time because the authorized activity period started April 1, 2013 and has a short 5 month award period.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an appropriation of $30,000.00 in the General Government Grant Fund for an agreement with the State of Ohio, Department of Public Safety Office of Criminal Justice Services for the Digital Forensics Upgrade project. All funds appropriated are reimbursable from the State of Ohio.
Title
To authorize the Mayor of the City of Columbus to enter into an agreement with the Office of Criminal Justice Services, State of Ohio to accept a grant award; to authorize an appropriation of $30,000.00 from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund for the Division of Police to cover the costs of the Digital Forensics Upgrade project; and to declare an emergency ($30,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) will provide JAG ARRA grant funds in the amount of $30,000.00 for the Digital Forensics Upgrade project to the City of Columbus, Division of Police; and
WHEREAS, an appropriation is needed to cover the costs of the Digital Forensics Upgrade project for the City of Columbus Division of Police; and
WHEREAS, emergency designation is needed to make the project funding available at the earliest possible time for the project activity period effective April 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013; 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 accept a grant for the Digital Forensics Upgrade project and to appropriate $30,000.00 for the project costs, 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 be and hereby is authorized and directed to accept a grant from the Office of Criminal Justice Services, State of Ohio for an award in the amount of $30,000.00 which represents funding for the Digital Forensics Upgrade project.
SECTION 2. 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 purpose during the project period, the sum of $30,000.00 is appropriated as follows:
DIV FUND OBJLV#1 OBJLV#3 OCA GRANT AMOUNT
30-03 220 02 2193 331305 331305 $ 5,875.00
30-03 220 02 2224 331305 331305 $12,526.00
30-03 220 06 6649 331305 331305 $11,599.00
SECTION 3. That monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon order of the Mayor of the City of Columbus; 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 4. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. Funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared 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.