Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Safety to pay the City of Columbus' proportionate share for the operation and administration of the Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEMHS). The FCEMHS is responsible for managing the outdoor warning siren system within Franklin County not only by coordinating siren locations but also for their maintenance, relocation, replacement and activation. The Agency's operational activities also include planning for disaster recovery and public education and exercises. The city's participation with FCEMHS is in accordance with State law. All activities of the agency are supported by local government funds and some federal grants. The relocation of FCEMHS from Harmon Ave. to Strawberry Farms Blvd has resulted in larger than usual expenses the last two years. Emergency designation will ensure timely payments to FCEMHS.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City of Columbus' proportionate share this year is approximately seven percent increase over last year's expenditures. Approximately $358,814 of this year's expenditures represents operational and administrative support and $60,000 represents maintenance costs for the City's outdoor warning siren systems. The city's total share in 2005 was $390,554 and $326,271 in 2004.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Public Safety to pay the City of Columbus' proportionate share for the operational and administrative support activities of the Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and to authorize the expenditure of $418,814 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($418,814)
Body
WHEREAS, the FCEMHS is responsible for managing the outdoor warning siren system within Franklin County not only by coordinating siren locations but also for their maintenance, relocation replacement and activation; and
WHEREAS, at this time each year the EMAFC provides local communities with the amount of their proportionate share for the operational and administrative support activities of the agency; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is necessary to authorize the payment of the City of Columbus' proportionate share and Siren fees of $418,814 for the management of the agency according to State law; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to expend funds for the aforementioned purpose for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare and to ensure timely payments to the Franklin County Commissioners; Now, Therefore;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Safety be and is hereby authorized and directed to pay the Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security for the City of Columbus' proportionate share and outdoor warning siren system maintenance costs.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $418,814, or so much thereof as may be necessary for said purpose, is hereby authorized from the Department of Public Safety as follows:
Division Fund. OCA Code Object Level 1 Object Level 3 Amount
30 - 01 010 300178 03 3337 $418,814
SECTION 3. That for the 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 nor vetoes the same.