Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with The Ohio State University in support of the Opportunity Port program operated by the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center.
The Drug Enforcement and Policy Center promotes and supports interdisciplinary, evidence-based research, education on illicit drugs and marijuana, and provide record relief services through two service engagement projects, Opportunity Port (sealing and expungement) and the Ohio Governor Expedited Pardon Project (clemency).
Opportunity Port's mission is to make sealing/expungement application assistance more consistently available and more accessible through mobile-friendly, remote-based services.
Since the organization lacks the funding necessary to operate the program fully on a reimbursement basis, funds will be advanced to The Ohio State University in support of the Opportunity Port program operated by the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center.
Fiscal Impact: Funding ($59,229.00) is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested to ensure a timely issuance of grant funds in support of the program to ensure continuation.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advanced payment grant agreement with The Ohio State University in support of the Opportunity Port program operated by the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center; to authorize an expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($59,229.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at The Ohio State University promotes and supports interdisciplinary research and education on illicit drugs and marijuana, and provides record relief services through their work; and
WHEREAS, according to a University of Michigan study, record sealing has been shown to increase an individual’s earnings by twenty-five percent along with other positive impacts; and
WHEREAS, this grant will provide support for the Opportunity Port program, which is an online tool that connects justice-involved individuals with providers who assist with record sealing and expungement applications;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with The Ohio State University in support of the Opportunity Port program operated by the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center to ensure program continuation, 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 City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an advanced payment grant agreement with The Ohio State University in support of the Opportunity Port program operated by the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center, in the amount of $59,229.00.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $59,229.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That funds shall be paid in advance to The Ohio State University Drug Enforcement and Policy Center in order for the organization to have the resources necessary for continuation of the program.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. 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 legislation.
SECTION 6. 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.