Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Safety to donate hydroponic equipment seized by or forfeited to the Division of Police. This equipment has been used for illicit purposes, is considered contraband and is not functionally useful for any City or individual purpose. As a result, the Department of Public Safety is seeking permission to donate this equipment to The Ohio State University, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. Because this equipment is considered contraband on the open market, the Department of Public Safety is requesting that the provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code pertaining to the sale of city-owned property be waived.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Emergency Designation: This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency measure so that recipients will have access to the equipment at the earliest possible date.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: N/A
Title
To authorize and direct the Public Safety Director to donate miscellaneous hydroponic equipment to The Ohio State University for the Division of Police, to waive Section 329.30 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, pertaining to the sale of city-owned personal property; and to declare an emergency. ($0)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety is in possession of hydroponic equipment that is of no use to the department; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety has determined that this equipment is not functionally useful for any City purpose; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Safety would like to donate said equipment to The Ohio State University who will express and demonstrate an educational need for hydroponic equipment; and
WHEREAS, the recipient agency will execute an agreement with the understanding that the City of Columbus will not maintain or support this equipment once donated and they will agree that the equipment will be accepted "as is" and shall only be used for educational purposes; and
WHEREAS, for reasons articulated above, it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to dispose of this equipment in this manner and waive Section 329.30 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, which governs the sale of city-owned property; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to donate this equipment and to waive Section 329.30 of the Columbus City Code, 1959, so that The Ohio State University, Department of Horticulture an Crop Science have access to this equipment at the earliest possible date; thereby preserving the health, peace, property, safety and welfare of the City of Columbus;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Safety is authorized and directed to donate hydroponic equipment to The Ohio State University.
SECTION 2. That the Council of the City of Columbus finds it to be in the best interests to waive City Code 329.30, Sale of City-Owned Personal Property, to permit the donation of this hydroponic equipment.
SECTION 3. That for the 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.