Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes agreement with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA), State of Ohio, for the Homeland Security Program - FFY2022 and to appropriate funds to cover the costs of the program. The OEMA works to aid the Columbus Division of Police Counterterrorism Unit and Crime Center for Ohio Homeland Security, investigate and remain a primary responder to terror events within the jurisdiction of the City of Columbus, and allows the capability to conduct operations in all of Ohio Region 4. The Columbus Division of Police Counterterrorism Unit staffs multiple NSSE/SEAR events such as OSU football, The Columbus Marathon, Red White and Boom, along with many large-scale crowded events in Central Ohio. This agreement authorizes reimbursement for three Radio Frequency Drone Detection sensors and accompanying software for threat reduction of and improved response to NSSE/SEAR events. The funding for the agreement is dependent on FFY2022 State Homeland Security Program funds and follows the fiscal year period. The cost breakdown for this grant award is as follows: Materials and Supplies (02) $20,000, Contractual Services (03) $15,000 and (06) Capital Outlay in the amount of $150,000.
The official city program contact authorized to act in connection with this $185,000.00 grant is Detective Christopher Betts. The grant award start date is September 1, 2022 and ends December 31, 2024.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is necessary to make funds available for the grant funded activity period that started September 1, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $185,000.00 from Ohio EMA to cover the costs associated with the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) - FFY22.
Title
To authorize the Mayor of the City of Columbus to accept a subgrantee award through the FY22 State Homeland Security Program from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency; to authorize an appropriation of $185,000.00 from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund to the Division of Police to cover the costs associated with the State Homeland Security Program; and to declare an emergency. ($185,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Police Counterterrorism Unit will work as primary responders for the program to prevent and reduce terror events within the jurisdiction of the City of Columbus and all of Ohio region 4, including major large-scale crowded NSSE/SEAR events; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Safety needs to enter into an agreement with Ohio Emergency Management Agency, State of Ohio, who will provide funds through the State Homeland Security Program - FFY22 to the City of Columbus, Division of Police; and
WHEREAS, an appropriation is needed to cover the costs associated with the State Homeland Security Program - FFY22; and
WHEREAS, the project period starts September 1, 2022 and goes through December 31, 2024 and appropriation authority needs to be available as soon as possible; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Safety to enter into the aforementioned agreements for the State Homeland Security Program - FFY22 and to appropriate $185,000.00 for the project costs to avoid missing out on grant funding, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, State of Ohio, and to accept an award in the amount of $185,000.00, which represents funding for the State Homeland Security Program - FFY22.
SECTION 2. That Detective Chris Betts is designated as the official city program contact, authorized to act in connection with the State Homeland Security Program 2022 Grant, and are to provide any additional information required.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies in the General Government Grant Fund and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purposes during the grant period, the sum of $185,000.00 is appropriated upon receipt of an executed grant agreement in Fund 2220 General Government Grants in Object Class 02 Material and Supplies, 03 Contractual Services, and 06 Capital Outlay, per the account codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated in an amount not to exceed the available cash balance in the fund.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That, at the end of the grant period, any requesting 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 in an amount not to exceed the available cash balance in the fund.
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 form and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.