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 is budgeted for the payment of rent for the lease of six (6) WIC Clinics -
First Choice Rental Properties, LLC, for 77-83 Outerbelt Street;
Best Corporate Real Estate Properties LLC for 1681 Holt Road;
Jacinto W. Beard and Karen L. Beard for 4337 Cleveland Avenue;
PLM of Cols for 3933 Livingston Avenue; Beaumont 4522 LLC for 4550 Indianola;
Saint Stephen Community Services, Inc. for 1500 Seventeenth Avenue.
These six leases were previously authorized by City Council ordinances with the annual renewal of each lease subject to appropriation and authorization of funds expenditure by Columbus City Council. Subject to acceptance of the grant funds by passage of City Council Ordinance 2254-2019 to fund the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, funds will be available for the payment of rent for these six leases.
This legislation authorizes the expenditure of up to $219,524.00, or as much as may be necessary, from the Health Department Grant Fund for payment of rent for six (6) WIC leases that have previously been approved by City Council but are 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 $219,524.00 for the leases of the six (6) clinic locations that provide services under this program; and to declare 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). This grant does not generate revenue or require a City match. City funds are not required. This ordinance is contingent upon the passage of Ordinance 2254-2019 accepting the ODH grant funds.
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 six WIC Clinic lease agreements.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to spend a total of $219,524.00 from the Health Department Grant Fund for payment of six (6) leases for the WIC Program, and to declare an emergency ($219,524.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and, through its Real Estate Management Office, leases six (6) clinical offices spaces on behalf of the Department of Health’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Health, WIC Program has budgeted $219,524.00 for payment of rent for six (6) WIC Clinic leases for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, 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, 2019 through September 30, 2020, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the expenditure of funds for the payment of rent for the annual term of six existing WIC Clinic lease agreements in order to allow the WIC Clinics to 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 2254-2019, the expenditure of $219,524.00 for lease payments for six (6) WIC clinics is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grant Funds per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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.