Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Division of Police was awarded funding through the FY 2016 DNA Capacity Enhancement and 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 equipment, analysis supplies and training analysts in the latest technologies in this ever-evolving field. The cost breakdown for this grant award is as follows: DNA Extraction Equipment $55,040.00, DNA testing supplies $190,101.00 and training $26,585.00.
The official city program contact authorized to act in connection with this $271,726.00 grant is Crime Lab Forensic Scientist III, Emma Becker. The grant award start date is January 1, 2017 and ends December 31, 2018.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an acceptance of the $271,726.00 grant award and the appropriation of those funds from the National Institute of Justice to improve DNA analysis. The City of Columbus received an award of $272,315.00 in 2011, $248,307.00 in 2012, $291,603 in 2013, $282,452 in 2014 and $210,159.00 in 2015. 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 FY 2016 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program award from the National Institute of Justice; to authorize the Crime Lab Forensic Scientist III as the official city representative to act in connection with this grant; to authorize an appropriation of $271,726.00 from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund to the Division of Police to cover the cost of the FY 2016 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program Grant activities and expenditures. ($271,726.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The Division of Police has been awarded funding through a FY 2016 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program Grant from the National Institute of Justice for DNA equipment, supplies and training for Crime Lab DNA analysts; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Police Crime Lab needs equipment, supplies and training to aid in processing DNA samples more efficiently and cost effectively; and
WHEREAS, Crime Lab Forensic Scientist III Emma Becker has been identified as the official city representative to act in connection with this FY 2016 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program Grant and to provide information as required; and
WHEREAS, the grant award period begins on January 1, 2017 and ends December 31, 2018; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Safety to authorize the Mayor to accept this grant for the public 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 FY 2016 DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program Grant for DNA equipment, supplies and training for the Columbus Police Crime Lab.
SECTION 2. That Crime Lab Forensic Scientist III, Emma Becker is designated as the official city program contact, is authorized to act in connection with the FY 2016 DNA Capacity Enhancement and 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 $271,726.00 in Fund 2220 General Government Grants in Object Class 02 Materials and Supplies, 03 Contractual Services, and 06 Capital Outlay, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. Funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated in an amount not to exceed the available cash balance in the fund.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.