The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutC32560 - MOU - Dedicated Fornsic Tech Position Contract No. C32560 CITY OF PALM DESERT OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER STAFF REPORT REQUEST: APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITIES OF INDIAN WELLS, PALM DESERT, AND RANCHO MIRAGE FOR THE FUNDING OF A DEDICATED FORENSIC TECHNICIAN POSITION SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager DATE: February 14, 2013 CONTENTS: Memorandum of Understanding-Forensic Technician Position Recommendation By Minute Motion, approve a Memorandum of Understanding for the funding and coordination of a dedicated Forensic Technician Position commencing in FY 2013/14. Commission Recommendation The Palm Desert Public Safety Commission is scheduled to review this item on February 12, 2013, after this report was prepared. Staff can provide an oral update on the Commission's recommendation upon request. Backaround The recent public safety realignment plan under AB 109 shifted thousands of inmates from state prison to already overcrowded county jails, forcing many non-violent criminals to be released early under the supervision of local probation officers. As a result, many California communities are reporting an increase in crime since AB 109 took effect last year. In a proactive effort to mitigate residential and commercial burglaries, armed robberies, and similar thefts, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department recommends the funding of a full-time Forensic Technician position to serve the Cove Communities of Indian Wells, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage. This position is intended to perform technical forensic work in identifying/collecting physical evidence at crime scenes and providing professional testimony at criminal trials. A dedicated professional serving the Cove Communities would provide a higher level of service then is currently available because non-violent crimes are typically not processed by the County's Forensic Technician. Staff Report-Forensic Technician MOU February 14, 2013 Page 2 of 3 Although Sheriff Deputies are capable of collecting and processing a limited amount of forensic evidence, a dedicated Forensic Technician would provide an advanced level of evidence gathering for burglaries and related crimes. The Forensic Technician would also provide training to enhance patrol officer proficiency in evidence collecting. Staff respectFully recommends that the Palm Desert Public Safety Commission support the � concept of a dedicated Forensic Technician and a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the funding and coordination related to this position. Please note that this agreement shall be binding upon execution by each city; however, the position will not be effective until July 1, 2013. Fiscal Analvsis The annual cost of a dedicated Forensic Technician is estimated to be: . . Dedicated Rate $98,000 Vehicle Milea e $9,575 Su lies $5,000 $112,575 The Cove Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) unanimously agreed that an equitable cost distribution would be based on each city's proportional share of service calls/deployment associated with the position, as indicated below: � . . � ' � . . � . . . . . Indian Wells 63 4% $4,503.00 Palm Desert 1,040 66% $74,299.50 Rancho Mira e 480 30% $33,772.50 1,583 100% $112,575.00 Please note that the Sheriff's Department is eliminating one Office Assistant (O.A.) position estimated at approximately $56,000. Factoring in this administrative position's elimination results in a net FY 2013/2014 budget impact of $56,575 for the Forensic Technician position as follows: � . . . � . . � � ' • • • Indian Wells 4% $2,263 Palm Desert 66% $37,339.50 Rancho Mira e 30% $16,972.50 100% $56,575.00 $112,575-$56,000 The City of Indian Wells will pay for this position within its law enforcement services contract and bill the participating cities on an annual basis. Staff Report-Forensic Technician MOU February 14, 2013 Page 3 of 3 Any party to this Agreement may withdraw by providing the appropriate notice; however, they will continue to fund the position from the time such notification is received until the end of the fiscal year. This action will ensure that the remaining parties to the agreement do not have to fund any deficit as a result of one party opting out of the agreement early. Submitted By: Stephen . A an, Risk M nager , Reviewed by: � aul S. Gibson, Director of Finance Approval: ; J n M. Wohlmuth, City Manager CITY COUNCIL�ON APPROVED DENiED RECEIVED OTHER ME�T G DATE `� - AYES: NOES: AI�S�NT: ABSTAIN• VFRIFIED I3Y: Ori;inni on File with City rk's Office CONTRACT NO. C32560 COVE COMMUNITIES SERVICES COMMISSION MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FORENS/C TECHNICIAN POS/T/ON This Memorandum of Understanding ("Agreement") is entered effective July 1, 2013, by and between the Cities of Indian Wells, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Member Cities"). 1. PURPOSE The purpose of this Agreement is to set forth the responsibilities of the Member Cities as they relate to the funding and coordination of a dedicated Forensic Technician position. Although law enforcement services are provided under individual contracts of the Member Cities, the Cove Communities Services Commission (hereinafter known as the "Cove Commission") provides a forum for discussion of common public safety issues, including the utilization of this position. II. MISSION In an effort to proactively respond to residential and commercial burglaries, armed robberies, and similar thefts, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, under contract with the Member Cities, recommends the funding of a full-time Forensic Technician position. This position is intended to perform technical forensic work identifying, collecting, preserving, photographing, interpreting, and comparing fingerprints and other physical evidence at crime scenes and providing professional testimony at criminal trials. I11. MANAGEMENT The management and supervision of the Forensic Technician position and its resources, including all liability, will be the responsibility of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. In 1981, the Member Cities formed the Cove Commission pursuant to a Joint Powers Agreement. Any modification to this position or Agreement will be brought to the Cove Commission for its input, prior to final consideration by the City Council of each member city. The Cove Commission shall be advisory only. Funding for the Forensic Technician position shall be provided by the Member Cities, based on the terms specified in this Agreement. Cove Communities Services Commission co�cT No. C32560 Memorandum of Understanding Forensic Technician Position Page 2 of 4 IV. EFFECTIVE DATE This Agreement shall be binding upon execution by each of the Member Cities. The position shall be effective as of July 1, 2013, and shall continue until terminated as provided in Section VIII. V. FORENSIC TECHNICIAN SALARY CONTRIBUTIONS: The Member Cities, under individual service contracts, shall provide for law enforcement services. The Member Cities shall share the services provided by the Forensic Technician, with deployment policy and protocols determined by the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station Captain in his/her capacity as Chief of Police. The cost to the Member Cities shall be based upon the following formula: (a) One hundred percent (100%) of the operating cost shall be based on each member city's proportional share of service calls/deployment associated with the position, as determined on an annual basis (see Exhibit A) by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The initial term of this agreement will be based on data for Fiscal Year 2011-12 (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). . Dedicated Rate $98,000 Vehicle Mileage $9,575 Supplies $5,000 $112,575 r . i � , . . � . . : • ' - • • Indian Wells 63 4% $4,503.00 Palm Desert 1,040 66% $74,299.50 Rancho Mirage 480 30% $33,772.50 1,583 100% $112,575.00 Cove Communities Services Commission co�cT xo. C32560 Memorandum of Understanding Forensic Technician Position Page 3 of 4 VI. MONTHLY REPORT & BUDGETING The Palm Desert Sheriff's Station Captain will submit a proposed fiscal year budget by March 1 St of each year, for approval by the Member Cities. The Station Captain will also provide a monthly statistics report on the activities of this position within each participating city. VII. ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIA� REPORTING The City of Indian Wells shall be responsible for contracting for the Forensic Technician position (as part of its law enforcement agreement with Riverside County) and bill the participating cities on an annual basis. The participating cities shall make payment to the City of Indian Wells no later than 30 days after the receipt of such billing notification. The Cove Commission will hold no funds or assets associated with this position. VI11. WITHDRAWAL Any party to this Agreement may withdraw from all of the activities specified herein by providing thirty (30) days written notice. The withdrawing member shall continue funding the costs as included in this Agreement, from the time notification to withdraw.from the Agreement is given, until the end of the fiscal year for when the notification of withdrawal was submitted. [SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE) Cove Communities Services Commission co�cT No. C32560 Memorandum of Understanding Forensic Technician Position Page 4 of 4 Dated: CITY OF INDIAN WELLS By ATTEST: Approved as to Form: By By Dated: CITY OF PALM DESERT By ATTEST: Approved as to Form: By By Dated: CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE BY ATTEST: Approved as to Form: By By CONTRACT NO. C32560 F.gHIBIT "A" Riveaide County Sher!/f's Departmen[ Palm Desert Station �� Burgiaries FY 201'I-12��►�,zo��—Juns 30,zoiz� Count of Cities rnE INDIAN WEtLS 63 8u Att 4 8u Cml 11 Bu Gar 6 Bu Res 24 Bu Sch 1 . Theft fr Veh 17 PALM DESERT 1040 Bur Att 22 8u Cmi 306 8ur Cml Att 6 Bu Con 6 Bu Con Att 1 Bu Gar 16 BU Gar Att 2 Bu Misc 23 B Res 276 Sch 4 Theft f�Veh 378 RANCHO MIR14GE 480 Att 19 Bu Cm! 86 B Cm!Att 2 B Con 1 8 Ga� 14 ; Bu Gar Ait 1 Mi�c 11 Bu Res 193 � Theft fr Veh '173 Grand Toh! 1583 i � ( i Crlme Malysla Wdt 10/16/t012