Explanation
BACKGROUND:
Need: The U.S. Department of Justice through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is administering the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) Program. The purpose of the LLEBG program is to provide units of local government with funds to underwrite projects to reduce crime and improve public safety. Federal funds have been allocated for the City of Columbus through this block grant program. The official program contact authorized to act in connection with the application is Police Deputy Chief Walter Distelzweig.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is required for the City to respond in the timeliest manner to BJA's on-line application process via the Internet.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City's 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant award amount is $538,821.00. The required local cash match is $59,869.00, which is being included in the proposed 2004 budget.
Title
To authorize the Mayor of the City of Columbus to apply for and accept a 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, to authorize Deputy Chief Distelzweig as the official representative to act in connection with the application and to declare an emergency. ($538,821.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice through the Bureau of Justice Assistance has allocated 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funds for the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Walter Distelzweig has been identified as the official representative to act in connection with the 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant application and to provide information as required; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has participated in the seven previous years Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Programs and is budgeting in 2004 for the required 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant cash match of $59,869.00 to underwrite projects to reduce crime and improve public safety; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize and direct the Mayor of the City of Columbus to apply for and accept a 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Mayor of the City of Columbus be and is hereby authorized and directed to apply for and accept a 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Section 2. That Deputy Chief Walter Distelzweig is designated as the official program contact and authorized to act in connection with the 2003 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant application and to provide any additional information required.
Section 3. That the required local cash match amount of $59,869.00 is being budgeted for in the proposed 2004 budget.
Section 4. 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 nor vetoes the same.