Explanation
BACKGROUND:
In 2018, the City of Columbus instituted mandatory direct deposit for its employees. At the same time, in order to offer an alternative to employees who were unwilling or unable to provide banking information, the Columbus City Treasurer’s Office entered into contract for two years with US Bank for payroll cards at no cost to the City.
In 2020, the City Treasurer’s Office entered into a second contract with US Bank for payroll cards for its employees, again, at no cost to the City.
The City Treasurer’s Office now wishes to modify its contract with US Bank to provide gift cards for Columbus Public Health.
The expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act funding to provide vaccine incentives is necessary to address the public health needs of the community as caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funding established and modification of US Bank contract will enable Columbus Public Health to offer gift cards as an incentive for those that receive a vaccine at a CPH COVID-19 vaccination site.
Emergency action is requested in order that Columbus Public Health be able to receive the vaccine incentive cards in time for its vaccine clinics scheduled in the month of July 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT: : American Rescue Funding in the amount of $350,000.00 is budgeted within the Recovery Fund 2209; Health Special Revenue Funding in the amount of $300.00 is budgeted within fund 2250.
Contract Compliance: US Bank National Association 310841368 expiration January 30, 2022.
Title
To authorize the City Treasurer to modify its contract with US Bank, NA for gift cards for Columbus Public Health; to authorize the expenditure of up to $350,000.00 from the Recovery Fund; to authorize the expenditure of up to $300.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund and to declare an emergency. ($350,300.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the need to promote vaccine adoption by the community in order to mitigate the impact of the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act funding to provide vaccine incentives is necessary to address the public health needs of the community as caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, the City Treasurer’s Office has a contract with US Bank for payroll cards; and
WHEREAS, the City Treasurer now wishes to modify its contract with US Bank and authorize the related expenditures to provide gift cards for Columbus Public Health as an incentive for those that receive a vaccine at a CPH COVID-19 vaccination site; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Treasurer's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Treasurer to modify its contract with US Bank and to authorize the expenditure as cited below, so that Columbus Public Health may prevent, prepare for, and respond to a public health emergency in central Ohio and for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Treasurer is hereby authorized to modify its contract with US Bank for the period September 10, 2020 through September 9, 2022.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of up to $350,300.00 or so much thereof that may be necessary in regard to the action authorized in Sections 1, be and is hereby authorized and approved from the Recovery Fund 2209, and Health Special Revenue Fund 2250 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 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.