Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into a contract with Professional Language Consultants DBA De La Mora Remote Interpreting for a mobile video interpreting cart. The Court was awarded a grant in the amount of $25,950.00 from The Supreme Court of Ohio. The grant will fund the purchase of a mobile video interpretation unit. Franklin County and the City of Columbus have a large population of people with limited English proficiency, and the population is expected to continue to grow. The Court currently employs 2 full-time Spanish interpreters, as well as a full-time Somali interpreter, has contracts with 3 local interpreter agencies to provide additional interpreters or interpreters for other languages, and has access to LanguageLine. However, the number of cases requiring a telephonic interpreter is growing and is increasingly difficult to facilitate, particularly if multiple interpreters are necessary in a hearing.
The mobile video interpreting cart would be a benefit to all of the judges in all of the regular and arraignment courtrooms, especially when the Court has no advance notice that an interpreter may be required. The technology also allows for confidential conversations between parties and attorneys with an interpreter.
FISCAL IMPACT
No general fund resources are needed.
Emergency legislation is requested to allow the project to be complete within the short deadline given by the Supreme Court.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter a contract with Professional Language Consultants DBA De La Mora Remote Interpreting for a mobile video interpreting cart; to authorize the expenditure of $25,950.00; and to declare an emergency. ($25,950.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the city's best interest that the Franklin County Municipal Court upgrade the technology for foreign language interpreters; and
WHEREAS, grant monies from The Supreme Court of Ohio, in the amount of $25,950 are available to provide the needed technology upgrades;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract and authorize the expenditure for Judicial Work Bench software, maintenance, and setup with CourtView Justice System in accordance with the deadline of the grant, thereby preserving 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 Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Professional Language Consultants DBA De La Mora Remote Interpreting for a mobile video interpreting cart.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of the aforesaid contract, the expenditure of $25,950.00 or as much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court, see attachment.
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.