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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 6062-02-2025A Resolution NO.6062-02-2025 AUTHORIZE APPLICATION FOR AND AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GRANT PROJECT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 FOR THE PAUL COVERDELL FORENSIC SCIENCES IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICE AND MAKING ASSURANCES REQUIRED BY THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WHEREAS, the Public Safety Office (PSO), of the Office of the Governor (OOG), funds grant projects throughout the state; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Fort Worth finds that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Fort Worth, that the Gas-Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer System (GC -MS) Equipment Project be operated for the 2026 fiscal year grant cycle; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Fort Worth is not required to provide matching funds for the Gas-Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer System (GC -MS) Equipment Project as instructed in the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program, FY2026 grant application; and WHEREAS, the release of the grant funds is contingent upon the completion of specified requirements set by the PSO, including the passage of a Resolution by the City Council containing certain assurances. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, THAT: 1. The City Council approves the submission of the grant application for the Gas- Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer System (GC -MS) Equipment Project to the Office of the Governor; 2, The City Council designates the City Manager, through the Assistant City Manager for Police, to apply for, accept, reject, alter or terminate this grant on behalf of the City; and 3. In the event of loss or misuse of the PSO grant funds, the City assures that the funds will be returned to the PSO in full. 4. Adopted this 2 5 th day of February, 2025. ATTEST: �wsrxa % By: Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary Grant Number: 5342701 City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 02/25/25 M$C FILE NUMBER: M&C 25-0179 LOG NAME: 35FY2026 STATE-BJA COVERDELL FORENSIC SCIENCES GRANT SUBJECT (ALL) Ratify the Application for, and Authorize Acceptance of, if Awarded, the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Passed Through the Office of the Texas Governor, Public Safety Office, Fiscal Year 2026 in an Amount Up to $135,000.00 to Purchase Forensic Chemistry Equipment, Authorize Execution of Related Grant Agreement with the Office of the Texas Governor, Public Safety Office as the Passed -Through Entity, Adopt Resolution, and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Ratify the application for, and authorize acceptance of, if awarded, the Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant from the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Passed -Through the Office of the Texas Governor, Public Safety Office, Fiscal Year 2026 in an amount up to $135,000.00 to purchase forensic chemistry equipment; 2. Authorize the execution of a related grant agreement with the Office of the Texas Governor, Public Safety Office as the passed -through entity; 3. Adopt the attached Resolution for acceptance of grant funds in an amount up to $135,000.00 and to make assurances as required by the Fiscal Year 2026 Public Safety Office Grant Program; and 4. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund, subject to receipt of the grant, in an amount up to $135,000.00, for the purpose of funding costs associated with the purchase of forensic chemistry equipment. DISCUSSION: The application deadline for the Office of the Texas Governor, Public Safety Office, Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program is February 13, 2025. The Fort Worth Police Department Chemistry Unit (FWPD-CU) has applied for program funding in an amount up to $135,000.00 for costs associated with the purchase of the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer System (GC -MS). If awarded, the FWPD-CU will purchase the GC - MS to analyze unknown substances to confirm the identity of street drugs/ opioids confiscated by patrol, undercover purchases, and other narcotic activities. The GC -MS will be used to confirm cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, and any other controlled and non -controlled drugs/opioids and to improve the efforts of the narcotic investigators to make timely arrests of drug dealers, thus removing fatal drugslopioids off the streets of the City of Fort Worth and neighboring jurisdictions. In addition, the FWPD-CU has a backlog of controlled substance cases of approximately 1200. The turnaround time on this backlog is exceeding 90 days when the narcotic detectives must provide confirmative test reports to the Tarrant County District Attorney (fCDA) within 60 days. The addition of this new GC -MS would enhance the efforts of FWPD-CU to give narcotic detectives fast, more efficient intelligence that is needed to make timely arrests. No salaries are being charged to this grant, and therefore indirect cost recovery does not apply. The Grant Application Repository number for tracking purposes is GRNT-APPL-0000000109. Matching funds are not required under the grant. The funding type is reimbursable. The grant will sere ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS. A Form 1295 is not required because: This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher education: Office of the Texas Governor FISCAL. INFORMATION 1 CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, in the Grants Operating Federal Fund. The Police Department (and Financial Management Services) will be responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to an expenditure being incurred, the Police Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is a reimbursement grant. Submitted for City Manager's Office byj William Johnson 5806 Originating Business Unit Head: Robert A. Alldredge, Jr. 4131 Additional, Information Contact: Angela Love 4441