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.
Opportunity Port expanded services statewide in January 2024, enabling its service providers to prepare (but not file) applications to seal/expunge criminal matters outside of Franklin County. Given this, Franklin County residents can therefore be provided more comprehensive legal assistance through Opportunity Port.
The funding being requested from Council will support Franklin County operations only.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this grant agreement is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
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 authorize the reimbursement of expenses prior to the issuance of a purchase order; and to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund. ($47,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the existence of criminal records hinders the equitable growth and success of Columbus as a whole; and
WHEREAS, one in three American adults has a criminal record that will appear on a routine background check, the effect of which disproportionately impacts people of color and lower-income individuals; and
WHEREAS, according to a University of Michigan study, record sealing has been shown to increase an individual’s earnings by 25% along with other positive impacts; and
WHEREAS, Opportunity Port is an online tool that connects justice-involved persons with limited-scope legal service providers who assist with the record sealing and expungement application process; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with The Ohio State University in support of the Opportunity Port program; 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 a grant agreement with The Ohio State University in support of the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center (DEPC) and the Center’s Opportunity Port program, in an amount not to exceed $47,500.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $47,500.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That expenses incurred prior to the issuance of a purchase order, from and after January 1, 2025 may be reimbursed.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby 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 ordinance.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.