Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to accept and appropriate $110,000.00 in grant funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation, for the FY25 Safe Routes to School Program, for the period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2026.
The Safe Routes to School Program will provide safety education for elementary and middle school students. This program encourages and enables children to walk or bike to school, positively impacting health, reducing traffic congestion, enhancing a sense of community and improving safety.
Columbus Public Health received the NOA for this grant on July 18, 2024; therefore, this ordinance is submitted as an emergency in order to not delay these critical services and to ensure funds are available by the grant start date of October 1, 2024.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency so as to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City’s accounting system as soon as possible due to the grant start period of October 1, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT: The program is fully funded ($110,000.00) by the Ohio Department of Transportation and does not generate revenue or require a city match.
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept grant funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation and any additional funds for the FY25 Safe Routes to School Grant Program; to authorize the appropriation of funds, including any additional funds, from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grant Funds; and to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the FY25 Safe Routes to School Grant Program; and to declare an emergency. ($110,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $110,000.00 in grant funds have been made available to Columbus Public Health through the Ohio Department of Transportation for the FY25 Safe Routes to School Program for the period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept this grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, and to appropriate these funds to the Health Department for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and,
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the support of the FY25 Safe Routes to School Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these additional funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the support of the Safe Routes to School Program; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the FY25 Safe Routes to School Program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board to accept this grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, and to appropriate these funds to the Health Department in order to not delay these critical services and to ensure funds are available by the grant start day of October 1, all for the immediate preservation of 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept a grant award of $110,000.00 from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the period October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2026.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources for the period ending September 30, 2026, the sum of $110,000.00 and any eligible interest earned during the grand period is hereby appropriated to the Health Department, Division No. 5001 per the accounting codes attached in this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon the order of the Health Commissioner, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept any additional funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the support of the Safe Routes to School Program.
SECTION 5. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources for the period ending September 30, 2026, any additional awarded funds are to be appropriated in Fund 2251 upon notification of award or executed agreement by the Ohio Department of Transportation according to the accounting codes provided by Columbus Public Health.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the FY25 Safe Routes to School Program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department to carry out the purpose of the grant.
SECTION 7. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 8. 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 9. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.