| | | | | | | | Agenda Item - 6.b.
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To: | Scott C. Stiles
| From: | Tom DaRé
| Dept.: | City Manager
| Dept.: | Police
| Subject: | Approval of an agreement with the County of Orange to provide forensic services. (Cost: $633,970) (Action Item) | Date: | 4/27/2021 |
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| | | | | | | | OBJECTIVE
To secure City Council approval of an Agreement with the County of Orange to provide forensic services for the Garden Grove Police Department. |
| | | | | | | | BACKGROUND
Since 1996, the City of Garden Grove has contracted with the County for crime scene forensic services. The Orange County Crime Lab provides these services and is the only local forensics lab with the capabilities and logistics to provide all the forensic services required by the Department.
Historically, the Department has entered into five-year agreements with the County of Orange for these services, and the current five-year term expires on June 30, 2021. During the term of the agreement, the Orange County Crime Lab has provided enhanced services and the following County service personnel:
- (1) Lead Forensic Specialist
- (1) Forensic Scientist III
- (1) Forensic Specialist |
| | | | | | | | DISCUSSION
The new agreement with the County for enhanced crime scene investigation and forensic services covers the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026. As recommended by the Police Department and pursuant to Garden Grove Municipal Code, Section 2.50.060(d), bidding will be dispensed as it has been determined that the County of Orange is the only provider of enhanced crime scene investigation and the only local forensics lab with the capabilities and logistics to provide all the forensic services required by the Police Department.
The new contract will continue to provide enhanced service and the following County service personnel:
- (2) Lead Forensic Specialists
- (1) Forensic Scientist III
The new agreement has replaced the previous Forensic Specialist position with an additional Lead Forensic Specialist, for a total of two Lead Forensic Specialists. This will allow for improved scene management, continued priority on all DNA casework analysis, and will better conform to the Orange County Crime Lab guidelines, standards, and procedures.
DNA has continued to be the leading technology for gathering forensic evidence and solving crimes. Having a Forensic Scientist assigned to the Garden Grove Police Department for DNA casework has dramatically increased the efficiency in submitting and receiving crime lab results for the Detective Bureau. The Police Department is extremely satisfied with the level of quality and service it has received from the Orange County Crime Lab. |
| | | | | | | | FINANCIAL IMPACT
The full cost of providing the foregoing level of forensic services for FY 2021-2022 is estimated to be $633,970, an increase of $78,465 from the FY 2020-21 cost of $555,505. The increase is due to salary increases for County employees, increased costs of equipment and crime scene investigation supplies, and the switch to a Lead Forensic Specialist from the current Forensic Specialist position. The County reimburses the City the cost of all unused overtime, and the Crime Lab provides all supplies and processing directly related to services performed by their personnel under the terms of this agreement. The increased cost will be funded through the FY 2021-2023 Biennial Budget. |
| | | | | | | | RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
- Approve the agreement with the County of Orange to provide forensic services for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026, in the amount of $633,970, for Fiscal Year 2021-22; and
- Authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement on behalf of the City and make minor modifications as appropriate thereto
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