Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes an agreement with the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), State of Ohio, for the OVI Task Force - FFY15 and appropriates funds to cover the costs of the task force. The OTSO works to reduce traffic related crashes to save lives and reduce injuries and economic loss. This task force will target reducing fatal crashes through strict enforcement of OVI incidents within the interstate highway system in the City of Columbus and major arterial streets during specific periods. The agreement authorizes reimbursement for the overtime costs of sworn personnel working on the task force. The funding for the agreement is dependent on federal funds from the US Department of Transportation for Federal Fiscal Year 2015 and follows the fiscal year period, October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency legislation is necessary to make funds available for the task force activities during specified periods starting in October 2014.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $221,738.39 from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund for the Division of Police to cover the costs associated with the OVI Task Force - FFY15. $119,783.67 was expended in FY2012 and $108,285.78 was expended in FY 2013 for this project. FY2014 program expenditures to date are $92,298.83. All funds appropriated are reimbursable from the State of Ohio.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Safety to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, State of Ohio, to participate in the OVI Task Force - FFY15; to authorize an appropriation of $221,738.39 from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund to the Division of Police to cover the costs associated with this task force; and to declare an emergency. ($221,738.39)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Police will work overtime on a task force to target reducing fatal crashes by strict enforcement on OVI within the interstate system of the City of Columbus and major arterial streets during specific periods; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), State of Ohio, will provide funds through the OVI Task Force - FFY15 to the City of Columbus, Division of Police; and
WHEREAS, an appropriation is needed to cover the costs associated with the OVI Task Force - FFY15 which includes $221,738.39 for sworn overtime; and
WHEREAS, the project period is October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015 and funds need to be available as soon as possible for funded activities starting in October, 2014; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into the aforementioned agreement for the OVI Task Force - FFY15 and to appropriate $221,738.39 for the task force costs, thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Safety is hereby authorized and directed to enter into agreement with the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, State of Ohio, to accept an award in the amount of $221,738.39 which represents funding for the OVI Task Force - FFY15.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the General Government Grant Fund and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the project period the sum of $221,738.39 is appropriated effective upon receipt of executed grant agreement as follows:
Div Fund Objlvl 1 Objlvl 3 OCACD Grant Amount
30-03 220 01 1127 331408 331408 $ 6,089.32
30-03 220 01 1131 331408 331408 $ 173,980.69
30-03 220 01 1161 331408 331408 $ 33,926.24
30-03 220 01 1171 331408 331408 $ 2,522.72
30-03 220 01 1173 331408 331408 $ 5,219.42
TOTAL $221,738.39
This appropriation is effective upon receipt of the fully executed agreement.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon order of the Director of Public Safety; 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 it originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. Funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated in an amount not to exceed the available cash balance in the fund.
SECTION 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part thereof, 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.