Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into contract with The Ohio State University for $150,000.00 to assist with identifying evidence-based practices to address overarching violence prevention strategies, which will be used to develop a Strategic Plan in combination with an Evaluation and Monitoring Plan that will include indicators to track progress and make necessary changes if applicable.
Mayor Andrew Ginther (Columbus, Ohio) announced a new initiative in March 2023 for the creation of the Office of Violence Prevention. The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) is the city’s coordination center for violence prevention resources and activities. As the first office of its kind in the state of Ohio, it evaluates existing programming, and it collects data and conducts research in collaboration with city departments, public- and private-sector partners, and members of the Columbus community.
OVP will be performing this work with the support of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Evaluation Studies (HOPES) at The Ohio State University (OSU); with additional support provided by OSU faculty, Columbus Public Health (CPH), the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR), a Research Advisory Board (RAB), Columbus community members, and other relevant stakeholders. This project will include four phases: (1) preparation, (2) convening of OSU researchers, (3) identifying evidence-based strategies for implementation, and (4) establish Evaluation Plan and indicators for monitoring and evaluating Strategic Plan. The City of Columbus lacks the human resources to provide for the services that are the subject of this contract.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the General Fund for this contract.
Contract Compliance: The Ohio State University, CC 006163, exp. 03-29-25
Emergency action is requested to avoid any delay in providing critical assistance and support as it relates to violence prevention and the reduction of gun violence in the community.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with The Ohio State University to assist the Office with identifying evidence-based practices to address overarching violence prevention strategies in our communities; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency ($150,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, Violence reduction and prevention technical assistance is needed to assist with identifying evidence-based practices to address overarching violence prevention strategies; and
WHEREAS, these best practices will be used to develop a Strategic Plan in combination with an Evaluation and Monitoring Plan that will include indicators to track progress and make necessary changes if applicable; and
WHEREAS, OVP will be performing this work with the support of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Evaluation Studies (HOPES) at The Ohio State University; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Violence Prevention in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a contract with The Ohio State University to avoid any delay in providing critical assistance in the reduction and prevention of violence in our communities, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention is hereby authorized to enter into a service agreement with The Ohio State University.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized from the General Fund 1000 in Object Class 03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby 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 7. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.30 relating to awarding not-for-profit contracts.
SECTION 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.