Explanation
This ordinance appropriates and transfers $150,000 within the general permanent improvement fund and authorizes and directs the Director of the Department of Health to enter into a grant agreement with OhioHealth Foundation in order to purchase a Wellness on Wheels (WOW) mobile unit that provides important healthcare throughout metropolitan Columbus.
Every year, approximately 400-450 economically disadvantaged women receive their prenatal and postpartum care through the Wellness On Wheels mobile unit. Additionally, with the help of Nationwide Children's Hospital, the WOW program provides dental hygiene care to about 400-450 patients during their pregnancies; free sports physicals to approximately 500 Columbus City middle and high school students; and an Ambassador Program that provides wellness and prevention education to high school students. In partnership with Columbus City Schools, the school Ambassador Program goes into schools to reach approximately 850 students on various topics including STIs, nutrition, paternity and others.
The Wellness on Wheels Expansion Project aims to provide more reliable healthcare to underserved Franklin County women and children, including the new Community Shelter Board building located at 595 Van Buren Street. The Van Buren Shelter includes Rebecca's Place, a shelter for single adult women which provides emergency shelter, job, health and counseling support, and assistance in finding stable housing. The WOW mobile unit will decrease the number of clinic sessions cancelled, serve more patients, and improve the overall continuum of care for patients served by the WOW mobile unit.
Additionally, the Wellness on Wheels mobile unit will be targeted towards the highest risk neighborhoods to help improve social and economic conditions that drive disparities across our community. Funding of the WOW mobile unit will further the goals and recommendations of the Greater Infant Mortality Task Force. The task force recommendations take a life course approach which recognizes that in order to have healthy babies; we must also have healthy families and communities that set a foundation for opportunity not only for this generation but also for future generations. Taking into consideration the role that racial disparities and social determinants play in our infant mortality crisis, the WOW mobile unit will be targeted toward the highest risk families and neighborhoods.
Due to the age and condition of the truck currently used to transport the WOW mobile unit, OhioHealth has an immediate need for $150,000 to purchase a new, reliable truck to ensure a continuum of care for at-risk mothers and others who receive services in central Ohio.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are currently available for this transfer within the unallocated balance of the general permanent improvement fund.
Title
To appropriate and transfer $150,000 within the General Permanent Improvement Fund; to amend the Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize and direct the Board of Health to enter into a grant agreement with the OhioHealth Foundation to purchase a Wellness on Wheels mobile unit to provide crucial healthcare throughout the City of Columbus; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000 from the General Permanent Improvement Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, every year, approximately 400-450 economically disadvantaged women receive their prenatal and postpartum care through the Wellness On Wheels (WOW) mobile unit. Additionally, with the help of Nationwide Children's Hospital, the WOW mobile unit provides dental hygiene care to about 400-450 patients during their pregnancies; free sports physicals to approximately 500 Columbus City middle and high school students; and an Ambassador Program that provides wellness and prevention education to high school students. In partnership with Columbus City Schools, our school Ambassador Program is goes into schools to reach approximately 850 students on various topics including STIs, nutrition, paternity and others; and
WHEREAS, due to the age and condition of the truck currently used to transport the WOW mobile unit, OhioHealth has an immediate need for $150,000 to purchase a new, reliable truck to ensure a continuum of care for at-risk mothers and others who receive services in central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance appropriates and transfers $150,000 within the General Permanent Improvement Fund; and
WHEREAS, funding set forth in this ordinance authorizes and directs the Board of Health to enter into a grant agreement with the OhioHealth Foundation to purchase a new, reliable Wheels on Wellness (WOW) truck to ensure a continuum of care for at-risk mothers and others who receive services in central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, funds for the aforementioned application are available within the unallocated balance of the General Permanent Improvement Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2014 Capital Improvement Budget and transfer cash between projects within the General Permanent Improvement Fund to ensure sufficient funds are available for the expenditure and are in the updated project numbers; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to effect the transfer of funds within the general permanent improvement fund for provision of critical healthcare needs to underserved women and children 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 Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate $150,000.00 within the unallocated balance of the General Permanent Improvement Fund ,748, Dept. No 45-01, Project 748999-100000, OCA 643114, Object Level One- 06. Object Level 6690.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer cash and appropriation within the General Permanent Improvement Fund, Fund 748, as follows:
From:
Dept : 45-01: Project: 748999-100000; OCA 643114; OL 3 6690 : Amount $150,000.00
To:
Dept 50-01 : Project: 500505-100000 OCA 748505 OL 3 6690 : Amount $150,000.00
SECTION 3. that the 2014 Capital Improvement Budget be amended as follows:
Project Name/ Project No./ Current Authority/ Revised Authority/ Difference
45-01 Unallocated Balance Fd. 748/ 748999-100000/ $450,883/ $300,883/ ($150,000) (General Permanent Improvement Carryover)
50-01 Unallocated Balance Fd. 748/ 500505-100000/ $0/ $150,000/ $150,000 (General Permanent Improvement Carryover)
SECTION 4. That the Board of Health be and is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the OhioHealth Foundation for the purchase of a Wellness On Wheels Unit.
SECTION 5. For the purpose as stated in Section 3, the expenditure of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, for the purchase of a Wellness On Wheels unit, is hereby authorized from Dept/Div: 50-01, Fund 748, Project: 500505-100000 OCA 748505 OL 3 6690 : Amount $150,000.00
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make the necessary transfer between funds, and such funds are hereby appropriated, to carry out the purposes of this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Board of Health, administer of said project, that said project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 8. 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 9. 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 10. 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.