Agenda Item # 3
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
7/26/2011
Agenda Report # 674
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: GEMA / GBI Homeland Security Grant - Mobile Biometric
Fingerprint Identification Device
INITIATED BY: Sheriff's Office
Recommendation: Approval is requested to enter into a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Georgia Bureau of
Investigation for the acquisition of Biometric Fingerprint Identification
devices (aka RapidID) for the Sheriff's Office, and amend the
Multi-Governmental Fund 216 by said amount.
Background: In 2010 the State of Georgia initiated a grant funded pilot
program that would serve as a model for similar law enforcement implementation
throughout Georgia. Mobile Biometric Fingerprint devices, also known as
RapidID, search a centralized database at GCIC, and if no match is found,
automatically sends an inquiry to NCIC (National Crime Information Center) to
check for outstanding warrants, probation / parole records, and NCIC Sex
Offender Registry. Responses to searches are returned to the Officer
initiating the search along with pointers to participating agencies where
additional information may be found. The information is real time and provides
a strategic field advantage to the officer needing identification of persons of
interest. Based on the success of the pilot program, the state allocated
homeland security funding from FY2010 for the acquisition and integration of
devices for additional LLE agencies throughout the state including
Columbus/Muscogee County.
Analysis: The Ability to rapidly identify subjects who are under investigation
by Deputies of the Sheriff's Office will enhance officer safety and improve the
Sheriff's Office ability to arrest wanted subjects thereby improving efficiency
of the Sheriff's Office.
Financial Considerations: While the City will be required to expend $21,350
(or as otherwise awarded) for the devices. Those funds will be reimbursed 100
percent by the State. This reimbursement includes the initial training,
maintenance and air time cards on the use of the devices. The ongoing cost for
cellular air card subscriptions and maintenance agreement will be included in
the Sheriff's operating budget in subsequent years.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The first year of operation for the
RapidID program will be free. The second and consecutive years will cost the
City airtime charges and maintenance agreement fees which is approximately
$4,950.00 per year ($3,000.00 airtime / $1,950.00 maintenance) based on current
rates.
Legal Considerations: Council is the approval authority for all grants.
Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize a resolution to approve the City to submit
an application to accept a grant from GEMA/GBI for the Mobile Fingerprint
Identification/RapidID grant program for biometric identification devices, and
to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund 216 by the amount of the grant award.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A GRANT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $21,350.00 (OR AS OTHERWISE AWARDED) FROM THE GEORGIA EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY / GBI HOMELAND SECURITY WITH NO LOCAL MATCH, AND TO AMEND THE
MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY THE APPLICABLE AMOUNT.
WHEREAS, the Sheriff's Office was awarded a grant to participate in GEMA/GBI
Homeland Security Biometric Fingerprint Device Statewide Initiative Program for
use of Rapid-ID Devices for Identification in real time applications. The
devices will be utilized by the Sheriff's Office in the pilot program; and,
WHEREAS, the Sheriff's Office requests permission to apply for the GEMA/GBI HL
Grant.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit an application to accept
funds from GEMA/GBI HL for Biometric Rapid-ID Fingerprint Devices for
$21,350.00, or as otherwise awarded, and amend the multi-governmental fund by
the amount of the grant awarded.
_____________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
______ day of ___________, 2011 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative
vote of ____________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner-Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
________________________ _________________________
Tiny Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson,
Mayor
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