Explanation
Background: The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a supplemental nutrition program for women (pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding), infants, and children under five years of age administered in Franklin County by Columbus Public Health with grant funds received from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Columbus Public Health has been awarded its annual grant funding from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). A portion of the WIC grant funds are budgeted for the payment of rent for the lease of three (3) WIC Clinics - First Choice Rental Properties, LLC for 77-83 Outerbelt Street, Best Corporate Properties II, LLC for 1681 Holt Road, and 480 Properties, LLC for 5770 Karl Road. This ordinance is subject to the acceptance of the grant funds from ODH by passage of City Council Ordinance 2410-2023 for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program for the period October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
This legislation authorizes the expenditure of up to $147,549.00, or as much as may be necessary, from the Health Department Grant Fund for payment of rent for these three (3) WIC leases that have previously been approved by City Council subject to the annual authorization of rental funds by City Council and certification of funds availability by the City Auditor. The WIC Program budget provides the $147,549.00 for the lease of the three (3) clinic locations that provide services under this program and declares an emergency.
Fiscal Impact: Funding for the lease payments is provided by grant funds received by Columbus Public Health from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) that will be accepted by passage of Ordinance 2410-2023. This grant does not generate revenue or require a City match. City funds are not required ($0.00).
Emergency Action: is requested in order to avoid any delay in making timely rent payments to the landlords in accordance with the terms of the three (3) WIC Clinic lease agreements.
Title
To authorize the expenditure of $147,549.00 from the Health Department Grant Fund for payment annual rent of of three (3) leases for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program; to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to make such an expenditure for the payment of annual rent for three three (3) leases for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program; and to declare an emergency ($147,549.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Management, through its Real Estate Management Office, leases three (3) clinical office spaces on behalf of the Department of Health’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program at 77-83 Outerbelt Street, 1681 Holt Road, and 5770 Karl Road; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Health, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program wishes to continue to provide its supplemental nutrition services to clients at these three (3) leased locations; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Health, WIC Program has budgeted $147,549.00 for payment of rent for these three (3) WIC Clinic leases for the period October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds for payment of the leases in order to provide services for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program for the period October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to expend funds for the payment of annual rent for the lease of three (3) existing WIC Clinics per the terms of the lease agreements so that the WIC Clinics may continue offering program services to the community without interruption for the immediate preservation of the health, peace, property, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That contingent upon the passage of Ordinance 2410-2023, the expenditure of $147,549.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grant Funds and the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to make such expenditure, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance, for payment of rent to First Choice Rental Properties, LLC, for 77-83 Outerbelt Street, Best Corporate Properties II, LLC for 1681 Holt Road and 480 Properties, LLC for 5770 Karl Road for the lease of medical office space for WIC clinics at each of these locations.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that these leases are properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City’s financial records.
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 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 in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.