Item Coversheet

Agenda Item - 4.b.


City of Garden Grove


INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM

To:Scott C. Stiles

From:Tom DaRé
Dept.:City Manager 

Dept.: Police Chief 
Subject:

Approval of the First Amendment to the Agreement with the County of Orange to provide Forensic Services.  (Cost: $670,519) (Action Item)

Date:4/26/2022

OBJECTIVE

To obtain City Council approval of the First Amendment to the 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, 2026. During the term of the agreement, the Orange County Crime Lab will continue to provide enhanced services and the following County service personnel:

 

-      (2) Lead Forensic Specialists

-      (1) Forensic Scientist III

DISCUSSION

The current agreement with the County for enhanced crime scene investigation expires 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.

 

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 the contract for FY 2022-2023 is estimated to be $670,519, an increase of $36,549 from the FY 2021-22 cost of $633,970. The increase is due to negotiated salary and benefit increases for County employees as well as higher costs of equipment and crime scene investigation supplies. The additional cost will be included in the FY 2022-23 continuation budget adjustment.

 

At the close of fiscal year 2022-23, the County will refund to the City all prepaid but unused funds allocated to overtime costs under this Amendment. During the term of the agreement the Crime Lab will provide all supplies and processing directly related to services performed by their personnel under the terms of this agreement.
RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the City Council:

 

  •  Approve the First Amendment to the Agreement with the County of Orange to provide forensic services to the police department in the amount of $670,519 for Fiscal Year 2022-23; and

 

  • Authorize the Mayor and the Police Chief to execute the agreement on behalf of the City and make minor modifications as appropriate thereto.

 

By:  Courtney Chibosky, Fiscal Analyst




ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionUpload DateTypeFile Name
FSU Amend No 1_April 20224/14/2022AgreementFSU_Amend_No_1_April_2022.pdf