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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4208-05-2013 A Resolution NO. 4208-05-2013 AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION FOR AND ACCEPTANCE OF$80,000.00 IN GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION FOR THE STATE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT AND THE MAKING OF ASSURANCES REQUIRED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WHEREAS, the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office (CJD) is funding grant projects th-roughout the state; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Worth (City), by and through its Police Department, has written a grant application for submission to the CJD for the following project: The City of Fort Worth Police Department (department) is requesting grant funding to update twelve interview rooms across the department. In August 2012, an internal assessment was conducted on all interview rooms within the department. The assessment was in response to issues that the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office (DA's Office) had in the quality of audio and visual recorded evidence it received from the department. A total of twenty-six interview rooms exist across the department. The interview rooms are located at Police Divisional Sectors (North, South, East, West, and Central), and within many different units, including Homicide, Sexual Assault, Robbery, Crimes Against Children, Traffic Investigations, Youth Division, Internal Affairs, Major Case, Auto Theft, Fraud, and Gang Units. Current audio and visual equipment lacks uniformity across the department, creating a variety of issues regarding audio and visual recorded evidence. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Fort Worth finds it in the best interest of the citizens of Fort Worth that the State Justice Assistance Grant be operated for the Fiscal Year 2013 Grant Cycle; and WHEREAS, the approval by CJD of the grant application is contingent upon the passage of a resolution by the City containing certain assurances; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH,TEXAS, THAT: 1. The City Council ratifies the submission the grant applications to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, for the State Justice Assistance Grant; RT RT 2. The City Council designates the City Manager, through the Assistant City Manager for Police, to apply for, accept, reject, alter or terminate these grant on behalf of the City; 3. In the event of loss or misuse of the CJD grant funds, the City assures that the funds will be returned to the CJD in full. Adopted this 21" day of May, 2013. Vot AT'T'E-S,T- AY By: v- 4 R�inald P. Gonzales, Ass�,t�xit City Secretary 00 00 00 AY - ORT RT ........... City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 5/21/2013 - Resolution No.4208-05-2013 & Ordinance No. 20756-05-2013, DATE: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 REFERENCE NO.: **C-26265 LOG NAME: 35STATEJAG13 SUBJECT: Ratify Application for and Authorize Acceptance of, if Awarded, the State Justice Assistance Grant in the Amount of$80,000.00 from the State of Texas, Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, Authorize Execution of Related Contract, Adopt Related Resolution and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance (ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS) RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Ratify the application for the State Justice Assistance Grant from the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, in the amount of$80,000.00; 2. Authorize the City Manager to accept, reject, alter or terminate, if awarded, the State Justice Assistance Grant; 3. Authorize the execution of a contract in connection with the acceptance of the grant, if awarded; 4. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Police Department's application for and acceptance in the amount of$80,000.00 in grant funds from the State Justice Assistance Grant and the making of assurances required by the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office; and 5. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Fund in the amount of$80,000.00 upon receipt of the grant. DISCUSSION: The City of Fort Worth Police Department(Department) is requesting grant funding to update 12 interview rooms across the Department. In August 2012, an internal assessment was conducted on all interview rooms within the Department. The assessment was in response to issues that the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office (DA's Office) had in the quality of audio and visual recorded evidence it received from the Department. Currently, none of the Department's 26 interview rooms capture the quality of audio and visual recorded evidence the DA's Office would like to receive. It is common for the DA's Office to only use the audio recording from the Department's recorded interviews. A total of 26 interview rooms exist across the Department. The interview rooms are located at Police Divisional Sectors (North, South, East, West, and Central)and within many different units, including Homicide, Sexual Assault, Robbery, Crimes Against Children, Traffic Investigations, Youth Division, Internal Affairs, Major Case, Auto Theft, Fraud, and Gang Units. Current audio and visual equipment lacks uniformity across the Department, creating a variety of issues regarding audio and visual recorded evidence. Logname: 35STATEJAG13 Pagel oft The grant requires that the City adopt a resolution that provides assurances that funds will be returned to the Criminal Justice Division, in full, in the event of loss or misuse of grant funds and that designates the Official authorized to accept, reject or alter the grant. FISCAL INFORMATION /CERTIFICATION: The Financial Management Services Director certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations, receipt of the grant and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, of the Grants Fund. FUND CENTERS: TO Fund/Account/Centers FROM Fund/Account/Centers 5)GR76 451644 035202638000 $80,000.00 5)GR76 5(VARIOUS) 035202638010 $80,000.00 CERTIFICATIONS: Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Charles Daniels (6199) Originating Department Head: Jeffrey W. Halstead (4210) Additional Information Contact: Aya Ealy (4239) Logname: 35STATEJAG13 Page 2 of 2