Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges to engage in the first year of a three year contract with an optional fourth year for foreign and sign language services in the Municipal Court building at 375 S. High St. with Deaf Services Center. Formal bid RFQ000946 (foreign) and RFQ000947 (sign) was done and closed on October13, 2017.
The court is also going to contract with Access 2 Interpreters, LLC, Columbus Bar Interpreting Services, Ohio Translation Services, LLC, and Hallenross and Associates. These contracts will be less than $50,000. Deaf Services will be the primary, followed by the vendor that can provide certified or qualified interpreters. This decision was based on language availability.
EMERGENCY: Emergency legislation is requested to authorize the court to enter into contract and the expenditure to continue interpreting services with no interruption in services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are budgeted and available within the Municipal Court 2018 general fund appropriations.
Title
To authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Deaf Services for foreign and sign language interpreter services for the Franklin County Municipal Court; to authorize the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $100,000.00 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Franklin County Municipal Court provide foreign and sign language interpreter services for non-English speaking/deaf persons that may come before the Court; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into contract with Deaf Services to provide translation services so that the Court may continue to provide language interpreter services without interruption; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Deaf Services for provision of foreign language interpreter services, thereby preserving 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 Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Deaf Services for foreign and sign language interpreter services to the Franklin County Municipal Court for the period ending October 31, 2018.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $100,000.00, or as much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court.
SECTION 3. 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.