Explanation
The International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) is a non-profit, professional organization founded in 1935 to serve as an advocate and resource for local government attorneys. IMLA represents over 2500 cities and counties in the U.S. and Canada. Most of the largest cities in the country are members. Annual membership dues for a city of Columbus' size (between 750,000-800,000) are $5100.
The IMLA serves as a clearinghouse for legal information and cooperation on municipal legal matters. Members receive access to accurate, up-to-date information on legal trends, specific types of court cases, and other challenges that municipal attorneys are addressing. The IMLA also provides a variety of services, publications and programs - such as continuing legal education (CLE) credit opportunities via live teleconferences - to help members.
The IMLA holds an annual national conference, bringing local government attorneys together to share information, best practices, and legal strategies. By the City Attorney's office renewing its membership in the IMLA, Columbus would be eligible for consideration as a host city for the conference starting in 2016. The City Attorney's office plans to work closely with Experience Columbus to respond to the RFP and meet all other necessary requirements to pursue a conference that would continue to mark Columbus as a thriving, vibrant city on the rise. The conference would also have a positive impact on the local economy and would more than pay for the annual membership dues through the tax revenues generated.
Council amended the 2013 budget for, and deems this project an appropriate use of $5,100.00 in General Fund monies.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $5,100.00 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund; to authorize the transfer of $5,100 from the Public Safety Initiatives Fund to the General Fund for dues for the International Municipal Lawyers Association; and to declare an emergency. ($5,100.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) is a non-profit, professional organization founded in 1935 to serve as an advocate and resource for local government attorneys and represents over 2500 cities and counties in the U.S. and Canada. Most of the largest cities in the country are members. Annual membership dues for a city of Columbus' size are $5100; and
WHEREAS, the IMLA serves as a clearinghouse for legal information and cooperation on municipal legal matters. Members receive access to accurate, up-to-date information on legal trends, specific types of court cases, and other challenges that municipal attorneys are addressing; and
WHEREAS, The IMLA holds an annual national conference, bringing local government attorneys together to share information, best practices, and legal strategies. By the City Attorney's office renewing its membership in the IMLA, Columbus would be eligible for consideration as a host city for the conference starting in 2016; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney's office plans to work closely with Experience Columbus to respond to the RFP and meet all other necessary requirements to pursue a conference that would continue to mark Columbus as a thriving, vibrant city on the rise. The conference would also have a positive impact on the local economy and would more than pay for the annual membership dues through the tax revenues generated; and
WHEREAS, City Council amended the 2013 budget for and deems this project an appropriate use of $5,100.00 in General Fund monies; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate and expend funds to support the efforts of the City Attorney's Office, and for the preservation of 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 City Auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $5,100.00 in the Public Safety Initiatives Fund, Div No. 24-01, OCA 240016, OL3 5501
Section 2. That the transfer of cash and appropriation from the Public Safety Initiatives fund to the City Auditor's General Fund be authorized as follows:
Transfer from:
Fund / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
016/ 5501/ 240016/ $5,100.00
Transfer to:
Fund / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
010/ 0886/ 240101/ $5,100.00
Section 3. That from the unappropriated monies in General Fund, Fund 010, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the twelve months ending December 31, 2013, the sum of $5,100.00 is hereby appropriated to the City Attorney, Division 24-01, 240101, Object Level Three 3333.
Section 4. That the City Attorney be and hereby is authorized and directed to expend the funds appropriated herein for fees associated with the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA); and to enter into any contracts necessary to effect the purpose of this ordinance.
Section 5. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.