Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health’s Office of Emergency Preparedness has been awarded funds from Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA), originating from the US Department of Homeland Security, for exercise and training services. This ordinance will authorize the acceptance of these funds and the appropriation of $50,000.00, for the period of June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025.
The BioWatch program has established a professional network of federal, state, and local public safety partners to support local public health bioterrorism preparedness. Since 2009, Columbus Public Health has coordinated the Columbus BioWatch program and maintained plans for this bioterrorism early detection program. Our primary purpose is to continue collaboration of a coordinated advisory council of local response agencies and provide them with situation awareness for biological threats and hazards. Additionally, we manage and promote bioterrorism preparedness throughout the cities of Columbus & Worthington and Franklin County.
Emergency action is requested in order to meet deliverables of the grant and not delay any exercise and training service programming from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025, and to avoid forfeiture of the grant.
FISCAL IMPACT: Columbus Public Health's Biowatch program will not generate revenue or require a city match. ($50,000.00)
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept Biowatch grant funds from Ohio EPA in the amount of $50,000.00; to authorize the appropriation of $50,000.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, grant funds have been awarded to Columbus Public Health from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the BioWatch grant program for the period of June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025 and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the acceptance and appropriation of the funds for the support of the BioWatch grant program; and,
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the support of BioWatch grant program; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the BioWatch grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to accept and appropriate these funds for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; to meet the deliverables of the grant, and to not delay any exercise and training service programming; and to avoid forfeiture of the grant. Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept $50,000.00 from Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the period of June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department's Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the grant period, up to $50,000.00 and any eligible interest earned during the grant period is hereby appropriated upon receipt of an executed grant agreement to the Health Department, Division No. 5001, according to the attached accounting document.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon the order of the Health Commissioner, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused city match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That the Board of Health is authorized and directed to accept any additional grant awards from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the support of the BioWatch grant program for the period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the BioWatch grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department.
SECTION 8. 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 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.