DATE: February 20, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: John Zanoni, Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator
SUBJECT: Retroactive 2023 Coverdell Forensic Grant Application and Acceptance
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Retroactively approve and authorize the Sheriff, or his designee’s previous execution and submittal of a 2023 California Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program Grant Application to California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), including the “Grant Subaward Face Sheet”, the “Signature Authorization” form, the “Certificate of Assurance of Compliance” required by Cal OES, the “Subrecipient Grants Management Assessment” form, the “Out-of-State Travel Request” form, the “Certificate as to External Investigations” form, and the “Baseline Data Sheet” form, to expand the training of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Forensic Services staff and facilitate the purchase of forensic ballistic testing equipment, effective April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025 ($51,965);
2. Approve, authorize, and ratify the Sheriff’s Administrative Services Director’s execution of the retroactive grant award from Cal OES for the 2023 California Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant for the period of April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025 ($51,965);
3. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the authorization for the Certification of Assurance of Compliance, as required by Cal OES;
4. Adopt a Resolution granting authority to the Sheriff’s Administrative Services Director to approve and execute the retroactive grant award, and any related grant award amendments, from Cal OES for the 2023 California Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant;
5. Approve and authorize the Sheriff’s Administrative Services Director to execute any and all notices, certificates, applications, reports, amendments, extensions, and other documents, which do not alter fiscal or material terms of the Grant, and which are necessary or advisable in order to consummate the grant; and
6. Adopt a Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2023-24 appropriations and estimated revenues for Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Org 3111 in the amount of $51,965 (4/5 vote)
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with these actions. The non-competitive grant application (“2023 Coverdell Forensic Grant”) was executed and submitted to meet Cal OES requirements, contingent on your Board’s approval. Divisions of the Department of Justice (DOJ), such as the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) working through Cal OES, have awarded this grant to assist local forensic laboratories in improving the quality and timeliness of forensic services. The Sheriff’s Office (Department) will use the grant funds to provide continuing education and training in technical and professional skills to the laboratory’s forensic scientists, and, additionally, to fund the purchase of forensic ballistic testing equipment. It should be noted that although the grant award is retroactive, funds have not been received or expended. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
The non-approval of this item will result in the loss of the Cal OES grant funds with an associated decrease in the professional training opportunities for forensic staff.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The grant award, following your Board’s approval, will be forwarded to Cal OES, who will subsequently make the award notification. Grant funds will not be expended prior to acceptance by the Board and award notification of the grant by Cal OES.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with these actions. The award includes $51,965 for the 2023 Coverdell Forensic Grant. There is no match requirement for receipt of the funds. Approval of the fifth recommended action will increase the FY 2023-24 appropriations and estimated revenues in the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator’s Org 3111 in the amount of $51,965 to provide continuing education and training to the laboratory’s forensic scientists, and for the purchase of one Leica stereoscope and 3D printer.
DISCUSSION:
The 2023 Coverdell Forensic Grant funding, offered and administered through Cal OES, will be used to address current needs in the crime lab. The grant period will run for one year, from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025; however, the funds have not been received or spent. The grant funds will be used to provide continuing education and training in technical and professional skills to the laboratory’s forensic scientists in order to improve their level of expertise, ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of laboratory work, and in turn maintain quality and reduce case turnaround time. Your Board approved the prior 2022 Coverdell Forensic Grant on March 28, 2023, and the 2021 Coverdell Forensic Grant on March 22, 2022.
In addition to the standard State and Federal certifications included in the Board of Supervisors’ Administrative Policy No. 47, the 2023 Coverdell Forensic Grant also requires the certification summarized here: the County must complete a Certification of Assurance of Compliance-FSIA (Cal OES 2-104e), which includes details regarding Federal Grant Funds; Equal Employment Opportunity Program (EEOP); California Environmental Quality Act; Civil Rights Compliance; and Special Conditions (as listed in the Certification of Assurance) for the Subaward Eligibility Requirement Certification; and Proof of Authority from the Board of Supervisors. Additionally, CalOES requires the County to sign a Certification as to External Investigations agreeing to an external investigation in the case of an alleged misconduct or serious negligence substantially affecting the integrity of forensic results by an employee or subcontractor of the Fresno County Sheriff. In signing the Grant Award Face Sheet, the County formally notifies Cal OES that the County will comply with all requirements.
Recommended actions numbers four and five facilitate Cal OES’s requirement of proof of authority. All sub-recipient grantees of the grant are required to obtain a written authorization and a Resolution that states that the Sheriff’s Administrative Services Director is in fact authorized to execute the agreement including any amendments and extensions. The authorization for execution of all necessary documents will facilitate implementation of the grant. The Sheriff’s Administrative Services Director’s authorization is limited in that the Sheriff’s Administrative Services Director cannot enter into any future executable documents that in any way alter, amend, or add to or reduce, the County’s fiscal obligations, the length or term of the agreement, or other material terms of the agreement. The Sheriff’s Administrative Services Director is the designee of the Sheriff for the execution of documents related to this grant.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI # 36, March 22, 2022
BAI # 28, March 28, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Grant/Agreement with Cal OES
On file with Clerk - Resolution
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution (Org 3111)
CAO ANALYST:
Fine Nai