Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Attorney to negotiate and settle with car rental agencies for the payment of outstanding parking tickets under terms and conditions acceptable to City Council. Council initiated discussions with various car leasing companies beginning in the fall of 2002. To date, approximately $125,000 has been paid. There remains an outstanding balance of approximately $200,000. This ordinance authorizes the commencement of a more formal negotiation process to pursue the outstanding balance.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to compromise and settle with long-term car leasing companies for the payment of overdue parking tickets on terms and conditions acceptable to City Council, and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, since fall of 2002 City Council has been discussing with various car leasing agencies payment of outstanding parking fines; and,
WHEREAS, to date approximately $125,000 of such fines have been collected; and,
WHEREAS, it is now necessary to initiate a more formal negotiation process to bring closure to this effort; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the City in that it is immediately necessary to settle outstanding parking fines to enhance city revenues to preserve 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 City Attorney is hereby authorized to compromise and settle with long-term car leasing companies for the payment of overdue parking tickets on terms and conditions acceptable to City Council.
Section 2. 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.