Explanation
This ordinance funds the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, a non-profit working on several initiatives to reduce family violence in the central Ohio area. Council president Mentel and Council member Ginther sponsored an amendment to the 2007 budget to add $250,000, an increase of $164,000 over 2005 and 2006, for the organization.
The purpose of the organization is to improve the way individuals and institutions think about and respond to family violence. The Coalition's Board has four priorities: judicial reform, training and education, enhancement of victim services, and public awareness. Current year funding is targeted to sustain civil legal services that are provided to victims of domestic violence by the Capital University Family Advocacy Clinic.
This action follows on the heels of City Council's funding the Capital Area Humane Society annually at $25,000 beginning in 2003 to support animal cruelty investor services, and its pervious support of the Coalition's work with the People and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), which is working to strengthen linkages between the animal welfare and family violence communities, in part by giving pets a safe haven-just one of its action that recognizes the connection between animal violence and violence to children and spousal abuse.
FISCAL IMPACT City Council sponsored an ammendment to the 2007 recommended budget and included $250,000 in the Safety Initiatives Fund to be used for this project.
Title
To authorize and direct the appropriation of $250,000 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund and to authorize and direct the Public Safety Director to enter into contract with the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence for the purpose of effecting a multi-disciplinary response to the prevention of family violence, continuing Council's support for domestic violence initiatives, to authorize the expenditure of $250,000, and to declare an emergency ($250,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, City Council has amended the annul budget in each of the last three years to set aside funds in the Public Safety Initiatives Fund to address specific public safety challenges; and
WHEREAS, Council president Mentel and Council member Ginther sponsored an amendment to the 2007 budget to add $250,000 for the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence to sustain civil legal services that are provided to victims of domestic violence by the Capital University Family Advocacy Clinic; and
WHEREAS, family violence in all its forms is a critical public safety issue in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City, in that it is immediately necessary to support the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence to fight family violence for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate $250,000 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund, 016, to the Public Safety Director, Department No. 30-01, OL One 03, OL Three 3337, OCA Code 300116.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into contract with the Columbus Coalition against Family Violence, a non-profit group working on several initiatives to reduce family violence in the central Ohio area.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in section 2, the expenditure of $250,000 or so much thereof as necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Safety Initiative fund, 016, Department/Division No 30-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 300116.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
SECTION 5. 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves or vetoes the same.