Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation is needed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office (FCSO) to participate in a Child Sexual Predator Program (CSPP) Grant program. The Child Sexual Predator Program is a federal grant program through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office to reduce and prevent child endangerment and protect communities from sexual predators. As part of the collaboration with FCSO, the City of Columbus Police Division (CPD) will receive reimbursement for training and travel costs for a Child Sexual Predator Program Kick-Off Conference and additional CSPP related training expenditures. CPD will also receive partial reimbursement for overtime worked for program activities to locate, arrest, and prosecute child sexual predators. The FCSO will purchase grant funded computer related equipment and software to assist in preventing and prosecuting internet crimes against children. FCSO will transfer some of this grant funded equipment to CPD. CPD will be responsible for the storage, maintenance, use and repair, if applicable, of the equipment (expected approximate value - $37,695.00). The MOU period is January 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010 and therefore, there is a need to enter into the MOU and appropriate the available grant funds at the earliest possible time.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency legislation is necessary to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding and appropriate grant funding, as the grant period has already commenced.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $108,320.00 in the General Government Grant Fund for a Memorandum of Understanding to reduce and prevent child endangerment and protect the community from sexual predators. All funds appropriated are reimbursable through the Child Sexual Predator Program Grant via the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. The General Fund will be required to pay an estimated $26,760.00, ...
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