Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into contract with Language Line Services Inc. for telephonic interpretation services to make telephonic interpretation services available to City departments, and authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $18,000 to the Department of Neighborhoods within the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund.
Ordinance 2157-2022 enacted chapter 174 of the Columbus City Code that prioritized the provision of language access services so all residents can successfully engage with City government regardless of their English proficiency.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure City departments have immediate access to telephonic interpretation services to effectively communicate and address the needs of residents who are not fully proficient in English.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE:
Language Line Services Inc. 010275 and is valid from 12/6/2022 to 12/6/2024.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into contract with Language Line Services Inc. for telephonic interpretation services, to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $18,000.00 to the Department of Neighborhoods within the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($18,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2157-2022 enacted chapter 174 of the Columbus City Code that prioritized the provision of language access services so all residents can successfully engage with City government regardless of their English proficiency, and
WHEREAS, to help City departments more effectively engage with those who have limited English proficiency it is necessary to expand access to the on demand telephonic interpretation service offered by Language Line Services Inc., and
WHEREAS, through the use of Language Line the 311 Customer Service Center now has the ability to engage with residents in over 240 languages, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Language Line Services, Inc., to ensure City departments have immediate access to telephonic interpretation services to effectively communicate and address the needs of residents who are not fully proficient in English, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and now therefore,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods be, and is hereby, authorized to enter into a contract with Language Line Services Inc. for telephonic interpretation services.
SECTION 2. That the appropriation and expenditure of $18,000.00 is hereby authorized to the Department of Neighborhoods within the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.