Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Department of Public Health operates clinics for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program through grant funds from the Ohio Department of Health. In order to best serve its clients throughout the City, in many locations WIC occupies space in buildings owned by private property owners. WIC has occupied space in the St. Stephens Community House, located at 1500 E. 17th Avenue, for several years under an operating agreement. Per current guidelines, this agreement will be now be pursuant to a lease for space. Since the decision to change the agreement from the former operating agreement to a lease was made with respect to the current lease year (October 2010 to September 2011), this legislation encompasses this time period, and is retroactive to October 1, 2010.
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Finance and Management, on behalf of Department of Public Health, to execute those documents necessary to enter into a lease agreement with Saint Stephens Community Services, Inc., for the occupancy of 880 square feet for the period commencing October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. The rental rate for this space is only for a reimbursement of WIC's pro rata share of St. Stephen's Community House operating expenses, with a maximum liability to WIC of $7,000. The lease shall also contain one automatic one-year renewal at the sole option of the City.
Emergency action is requested in order to allow St. Stephens to be reimbursed for the current operating year.
Fiscal Impact The lease payments for the rental of this facility are entirely funded by the grant. This grant does not generate revenue or require a City match.
Emergency Justification Emergency action is requested to allow for the immediate execution of the subject lease agreement so that the Lessor can be reimbursed for the current operating year.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Finance and Management, on behalf of the Department of Public Health, to enter into a lease agreement with St. Stephens Community Services, Inc. for the lease of clinic space for the WIC program, for the period of October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Health has designated the Department of Public Health as primary grantee agency and fund administrator for all WIC programs in Franklin County; and,
WHEREAS, the City desires, for the benefit of the Department of Public Health, to enter into a lease agreement with Saint Stephens Community Services, Inc. for the rental of real property containing 880 square feet of space at 1500 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio for the benefit of the Women, Infants and Children program; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Health Department in that it is immediately necessary to enter into the lease as described herein, with an automatic option to renew the lease if so desired, 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 Director of the Department of Finance and Management, on behalf of Department of Public Health, is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a lease agreement for rental space for the continued occupancy of a WIC clinic at St. Stephens Community House for the period of October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011.
SECTION 2. That the terms and conditions of the lease are as stated in the lease agreement approved by the Real Estate Division, City Attorney's Office, and includes the following:
a) The lease agreement shall include one one-year automatic renewal option, commencing on October 1, 2011 of each year and terminating on September 30, 2012 as provided in the lease agreement.
b) All rents are subject to appropriation of rental funds by City Council.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City's financial records.
SECTION 4. 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.