For City Council Meeting [June 27, 2023]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Arron Brown, Acting City Manager
FROM: Mark Kling, Chief of Police
Title
Request City Council to; (1) Approve a Ninth Amendment to Extend the Professional Service Agreement with Law Enforcement Medical Services, Inc. for an On-Call Forensic Evidence Recovery Service Contract for a Not to Exceed Amount of $70,000 Annually for Fiscal Year 2024 Through 2027; (2) Approve an $8,000 Increase to the Annual Purchase Order 2023-0642, from $59,000 to $67,000 and (3) Authorize the Acting City Manager, or his Designee, to Execute All Documents.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Since September of 1999, the Rialto Police Department has contracted with Law Enforcement Medical Services, Inc. (LEMS) of Fontana, CA, for such purposes as forensic blood draws from persons arrested for driving under the influence, drug intoxication, and for forensic analysis of sexual assault victims.
The use of LEMS is standard throughout San Bernardino County as several other agencies, including Fontana Police Department, Colton Police Department, San Bernardino Police Department, and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department utilize LEMS services for on-call forensic evidence recovery.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
In 2021, the Rialto Police Department’s Traffic Bureau staffing increased to (1) Sergeant, (2) Corporals, (5) motors, (2) daytime traffic cars, (2) commercial enforcement officers, and (2) nighttime DUI Enforcement/Accident Investigation (DUI/AI) officers, allowing for traffic enforcement coverage seven days a week. The Rialto Police Department has also benefitted from substantial increases in grant funding from the Office of Traffic Safety for targeted DUI enforcement.
The grant funding increases and 400% increase in staffing have resulted in a direct reduction in injury/fatal traffic collisions and a significant increase in DUI arrests. During the calendar year of 2020, the Rialto Police Department effected 326 DUI arrests. In 2021 the Rialto Police Department effected 439 DUI arrests. In 2022, the Rialto Police Department effected 660 DUI arrests.
On June 23, 2020, City Council approved the increase of LEMS services through June 30, 2023. Due to an increase in usage by the department, an increase to the purchase order in the amount of $8,000 is required for services through the remainder of the FY2022/2023. The estimated annual cost of LEMS services is $70,000 is based on an analysis of FY2020 through FY2023 invoicing.
In order to maintain the current process, staff is recommending the continuation of services with LEMS. It is anticipated that these services will be required on a yearly basis for the foreseeable future.
LEMS is recognized by City Staff as a sole source provider of phlebotomy and other police specific medical services, to include: blood draws, urine collection and sexual assault victim and suspect examinations.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by Section 15378 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and excludes the following:
1) Continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel-related actions, general policy and procedure making
2) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
The City of Rialto has outlined key goals and objects relating to public safety. The purchase of this technology is consistent with meeting these objectives.
Goal 5-8: Provide effective and comprehensive policing services that meet the safety needs of Rialto.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
Funding in the amount of $8,000 is available in the FY2022/2023 Patrol Contract Services Account No. 010-500-6281-2011 for the Purchase Order increase for on-call forensic evidence recovery services with Law Enforcement Medical Services.
Per Rialto Municipal Code Section: 2.48.145 a vendor disclosure form is attached.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This report does not impact the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
Law Enforcement Medical Services has a current City of Rialto Business License. No additional taxes are due with the approval of this report.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve a Ninth Amendment to Extend the Professional Service Agreement with Law Enforcement Medical Services, Inc. for an On-Call Forensic Evidence Recovery Service Contract for a Not to Exceed Amount of $70,000 Annually for Fiscal Year 2024 Through 2027;
2. Approve an $8,000 Increase to the Annual Purchase Order 2023-0642, from $59,000 to $67,000; and
3. Authorize the Acting City Manager, or his Designee, to Execute All Documents.