Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $9,495.00 from the Emergency Human Services Fund. These funds will be used by the Department of Development to contract with the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association. Support for the Association will include assistance with heating costs for a five (5) month period, aid with transportation, communication and fair wage costs for their Somali Health Outreach Specialist, the temporary hiring of a computer consultant to set up wireless internet access and help to defray a rate increase for workers under the Ohio Unemployment payroll tax from 3.1% to 8.2%. Over the past few years, the Association has experienced elimination of funding from the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and a significant reduction of funding from the Franklin County Department of Jobs and Family Services, which has virtually dissolved their reserve fund. While continuing to serve their clientele, it has become a necessity to seek other means of support until those lost resources can be at least partially replaced.
Since 1980 the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association has addressed the resettlement needs of refugees from Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. The Somali Outreach Specialist on staff is a nurse midwife who works primarily with pregnant Bantu refugees, ensuring that they receive pre-natal care and that their children receive required immunizations. In addition to providing transportation, interpretation and medical casework, the Specialist holds regular meetings with the newest arrivals, giving much needed support, education and linkages with other social service providers.
This legislation is presented as an emergency in order to provide assistance to the organization in timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds will be allocated from the FY2006 Emergency Human Services Fund.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $9,495.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Emergency Human Services Fund to the Department of Development; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with and provide grant monies to the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association; to authorize the expenditure of $9,495.00 from the Emergency Human Services Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($9,495.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Director of the Department of Development to appropriate funds from the unappropriated balance of the Emergency Human Services Fund in order to provide grant assistance to the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA); and
WHEREAS, the grant will assist CMAA with payment of heating costs for a five (5) month period; provide aid for transportation, communication and fair wage costs for a Somali Medical Outreach Specialist; support the temporary hiring of a computer consultant to set up wireless internet access; and help to defray a rate increase for workers under the Ohio Unemployment payroll tax from 3.1% to 8.2%; and
WHEREAS, the expenditures support the mission of CMAA staff to effectively meet the needs of refugees from Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central America; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate said funds and to provide grant assistance to the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That from the unappropriated monies in the Emergency Human Services Fund and from any and all sources unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006, the sum of $9,495.00 be and is hereby appropriated to the Department of Development, Department No. 44-05, Fund 232, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 445205.
Section 2. That the Director of the Department of Development be authorized to enter into a grant agreement with and provide grant monies to Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association to assist with payment of heating costs for a five (5) month period; provide aid for transportation, communication and fair wage costs for a Somali Medical Outreach Specialist, support the temporary hiring of a computer consultant to set up wireless internet access and help to defray a rate increase for workers under the Ohio Unemployment payroll tax from 3.1% to 8.2%.
Section 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $9,495.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Emergency Human Services Fund, Department of Development, Department No. 44-05, Fund 232, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 445205.
Section 4. That this expenditure authorized herein is in accordance with Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Section 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and shall 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.