Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges to engage in the second year of a three-year contract with an optional fourth year of foreign services in the Municipal Court building at 375 S. High St. with Ohio Translation Services. Formal bid RFQ019643 was done and closed on October 26, 2021.
The court is also going to contract with Access 2 Interpreters, LLC, Asian American Community Services, and Purple Communications. This decision was based on language availability.
There were 186 vendors solicited of that there were 1 - VBE, 4 - WBE, 6 - EBE, and, 5 - MBE vendors. There were eight responses and seven awards. Of those seven there were 1 - WBE and 1 - EBE.
Legislation 1642-2022 for $100,000 - Year One
Legislation 0770-2023 for $100,000 - Year Two
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are budgeted and available within the Municipal Court 2023 general fund appropriations.
EMERGENCY: Emergency legislation is requested to authorize the court to enter into contract and to continue providing interpreting services to defendants in arraignments and other court hearings with no interruption in service.
Title
To authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Ohio Translation Services for foreign 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 that the Franklin County Municipal Court provide foreign language interpreter services for non-English speaking persons that may come before the Court; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into contract with Ohio Translation 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 and authorize the expenditure with Ohio Translation Services for the provision of foreign language interpreter services, to continue providing interpreting services to defendants in arraignments and other court hearings with no interruption in service thereby preserving 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 Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Ohio Translation Services for foreign language interpreter services to the Franklin County Municipal Court for the period ending March 31, 2024.
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 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 4. 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.