Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into a contract with WeUsThem. Inc. in the amount of $100,000.00. Their contract compliance number is CC-046139. These services were advertised through Bonfire (RFQ025074) according to bidding requirements of the City Code.
Columbus Public Health’s (CPH) Neighborhood Social Services division and Department of Public Safety has an immediate need for a culturally-informed, multi-media campaign that creates awareness of Alternate Public Safety programs: Right Response Unit (RRU), Mobile Crisis Response (MCR), RREACT (Rapid Response Emergency and Addiction Crisis Team) and SPARC (Specialized Program Assessing Resource Connectivity). The campaign will promote strategies for mental wellness. An emphasis will be placed on targeted strategies to create measurable engagement, knowledge, awareness building, and behavioral change.
Emergency action is requested in order to not delay the start date of October 1, 2023. It is the goal of the media campaign to create awareness and referrals to the alternate public safety programs, delaying this could delay the programs and the positive impact on community members.
FISCAL IMPACT: $100,000.00 is budgeted in the Health and Public Safety Operating Funds for media campaign services.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with WeUsThem.Inc. for media campaign services for the period of October 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 from the Health and Public Safety Operating Funds to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has an immediate need for a culturally-informed, multi-media campaign that creates awareness of Alternate Public Safety programs: Right Response Unit (RRU), Mobile Crisis Response (MCR), RREACT (Rapid Response Emergency and Addiction Crisis Team) and SPARC (Specialized Program Assessing Resource Connectivity); and
WHEREAS, such multi-media campaign will promote strategies for mental wellness; and
WHEREAS, WeUsThem. Inc. has the expertise required for said media campaign services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists and that it is immediately necessary to contract with WeUsThem. Inc. for media campaign services to increase referrals for the above listed programs and for the promotion of mental wellness strategies, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; 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 WeUsThem. Inc. in the amount of $100,000.00 for the period of October 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024.
SECTION 2. That to pay the costs of said contract, the expenditure of $50,000.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Operating Fund and $50,000.00 is authorized from the Public Safety Operating Fund, totaling $100,000.00, in accordance with the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this contract is in compliance with Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
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 reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.