Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance funds a truancy intervention program in partnership with the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) of Central Ohio, a non-profit organization located on West Long Street in Downtown Columbus. Since 2001, the YMCA, the Columbus Police Department and the Columbus City Schools have partnered to provide positive alternatives and safe environments to students who have been suspended or are truant from schools. Police officers will transport youth that are truant from school during the day to the YMCA of Central Ohio who will supervise them until their parent or guardian can pick them up. Staff members at the YMCA will work with the family when they arrive to help identify and resolve any issues that may be present and review the truancy law and its implications to both youth and parents.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance appropriates $50,000.00 within the Division of Police's Law Enforcement Seizure Fund and authorizes the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the Seizure Funds to the YMCA to operate a truancy intervention program. The YMCA received a total $100,000.00 from the City in 2011, $50,000.00 of which was from the Drug Seizure Fund and $50,000.00 from the General Fund.
Emergency legislation is requested in order to make the funds available to the association as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $50,000.00 within the Law Enforcement Seizure Funds and to authorize and direct the Public Safety Director to enter into contract with the YMCA of Central Ohio to provide a safe and supervised environment where Columbus Police Officers can drop off students that are truant from Columbus schools; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the Law Enforcement Seizure Funds, and to declare an emergency ($50,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the YMCA of Central Ohio will partner with the City to continue a truancy program that serves as early intervention and also provides a safe and supervised environment for youth who are brought to the downtown location; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish a contract with the YMCA for $50,000.00 to partner with the City to run the program over the 2011/2012 school year; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City, in that it is immediately necessary to partner with the YMCA to operate a truancy program to ensure that law enforcement have a safe and supervised location to drop off truants, and 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 City Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate $50,000.00 within the unallocated balance of the Law Enforcement Seizure Fund as Follows:
Department/Division 3003|Fund 219|OCA Code 301838|Sub-Fund 002|Obj Level One 03|Object Level Three 3337.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into contract with the YMCA of Central Ohio, a non-profit group for $50,000.00 in a partnership to run a truancy intervention program.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in section 2, the expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended to the YMCA Of Central Ohio as follows;
Dept/Div 3003|Fund 219|Sub Fund 002|OCA Code 301838|Obj Level One 03|Object Level Three 3337|Amount $50,000.00.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
SECTION 5. 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 or vetoes the same.