Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Safety to accept a grant award in the amount of $34,943.23 from the State of Ohio, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft so that the local Columbus Police Marine Unit can patrol local waterways during peak seasonal use by the public. This agreement will permit the City to receive a grant of $34,943.23 that will help cover some of the personnel and supplies costs incurred by the Marine Unit. In addition, this ordinance authorizes a transfer of $11,647.74 as a twenty-five percent match from the General Fund, bringing the total grant budget to $46,590.97.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency legislation is necessary to meet the State of Ohio processing deadline and make the awarded funds available for the peak operating season activities of the Marine Park Unit.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the City of Columbus to accept and appropriate a grant award in the amount of $34,943.23 from the State of Ohio, Department of Natural Resources, to pay overtime and equipment costs for the Division of Police Marine Unit to patrol local waterways during peak seasonal use. Additionally, this ordinance authorizes a transfer of $11,647.74 as a twenty-five percent match from the General Fund to pay for overtime costs. Columbus Police received grant awards in the amount of $29,649.68 in 2020, $32,941.18 in 2021, $34, 984.16 in 2022 and $34,974.00 in 2023.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Public Safety to enter into a grant agreement with the State of Ohio, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft; to transfer $11,647.74 from the General Fund to the General Government Grant Fund; to appropriate $46,590.97 from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund to the Division of Police for the operation of a 2024 Marine Patrol Program; and to declare an emergency. ($46,590.97)
Body
WHEREAS, the purpose of this agreement is to effect adequate and satisfactory enforcement of laws relating to watercraft as set forth in Chapters 1547 and 1548, Revised Code of Ohio, including regulations, rules, and ordinances promulgated or established by state or local authorities, pertaining to the operation of watercraft; and
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft, upon approval of said submitted budget agrees to pay a like sum subject to the provisions of Section 1547.67, Revised Code of Ohio, to the Treasurer of the City of Columbus, for the exclusive purpose of payment for services or costs contained in the approved budget for watercraft enforcement uses; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety is already providing a watercraft enforcement function, and it is advantageous to grant authority to the Director of Public Safety to enter into agreement with the State of Ohio, Department of Natural Resources, to receive state funds; and
WHEREAS, funds are needed for the operation of the Marine Patrol Program according to the agreement and in a timely manner for peak operating season activities which is March 1- November 30; and
WHEREAS, a grant match in the amount of $11,647.74 will be provided by the General Fund;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to accept the grant to meet the State's processing deadline and make the awarded funds available within the program peak operating season of the Marine Park Unit, which is March 1-November 30, established by the State and appropriate the matching funds all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Safety be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with the State of Ohio, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft, and to accept a grant of $34,943.23 on behalf of the City of Columbus, Division of Police, to effect adequate and satisfactory enforcement of laws as provided for in Chapters 1547 and 1548, Revised Code of Ohio, together with any rules, regulations, or ordinances promulgated or established by the state or local authorities pertaining to the operation of watercraft.
SECTION 2. That the sum of $11,647.74 be and is hereby transferred from the General Fund, fund 1000, subfund 100010, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the Project Period, the sum of $46,590.97 is appropriated in Fund 2220 General Government Grants in Object Class 01 Personnel, 02 Supplies per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance. This appropriation is effective upon receipt of the fully executed agreement.
SECTION 4. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 3 shall be paid upon order of the Director of Public Safety; and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Division of Police, Marine Park grant program as needed upon request by the Division of Safety, Columbus Police Department.
SECTION 6. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 7. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated.
SECTION 8. That for 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.