Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Stephanie K Starks DBA Starks Counseling & Consultation Services LLC for grief counseling and training services for an amount not to exceed $76,500.00.
Columbus Public Health’s (CPH) Neighborhood Social Services section has a need for culturally sensitive crisis grief counseling for families after a violent loss. Additionally, the contractor will provide a sibling loss group, to effectively work with both youth and adults related to grief and emotional healing, provide a workshop on coping for families during the first year after a loss, and finally the contract will also provide one traumatic grief training to share best practices with professionals prior to contract’s end date. These services will be provided at Starks Counseling & Consultation Services and Columbus Public Health.
The contract period is from February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026.
The contract compliance number for Stephanie K Starks is CC-042750. These services were advertised through Bonfire (RFQ026321) according to bidding requirements of the City Code and includes a provision to extend the contract on a yearly basis until January, 31 2028.
Emergency action is requested in order to remain in alignment with the grant period and deliverables by not delaying the start of this contract. Authorization of grant funds was not provided until November 25, 2024. Any delay could result in reimbursement for services not being allowed per the grantor.
FISCAL IMPACT: Expenditures to provide these services are budgeted in the NSS Grief Counseling 2025 Grant within the Health Departments Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251. ($76,500.00)
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Stephanie K Starks, DBA Starks Counseling & Consultation Services LLC for crisis grief counseling services; to authorize the expenditure from the Health Departments Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($76,500.00).
Body
WHEREAS, The Board of Health has a need for crisis grief counseling and training services and;
WHEREAS, Stephanie K Starks, DBA Starks Counseling & Consultation Services LLC has the expertise required to carry out those services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Stephanie K Starks, DBA Starks Counseling & Consultation Services LLC, for crisis grief counseling and training services, to remain in alignment with the grant period and deliverables by not delaying the start of the contract, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Stephanie K Starks, DBA Starks Counseling & Consultation Services LLC, for crisis grief counseling and training services in an amount not to exceed $76,500.00 for the period of February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026.
SECTION 2. That to pay the costs of said contract, the expenditure of $76,500.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Departments Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, Department 50, Division 5001, per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance. A project number will be provided to the City Auditor upon receipt of an executed grant agreement.
SECTION 3. That this contract is in compliance with Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code.
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 for the 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.