Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Franklin County Municipal Court Administrative and Presiding Judge to enter into contract with Jury Systems, Incorporated, for enhancements to the existing jury management system. Currently, jurors must call the jury commissioner's office to request postponements or to be excused from jury duty. Jurors who report for jury duty (60-80 every two weeks) complete a paper questionnaire, and all of those answers are then manually entered into the jury management system by court staff. This process is redundant and prevents judges from starting jury trials until after 2:00 p.m. on Mondays.
The new software will allow jurors to complete the jury questionnaires and to request postponements and excuses online. The software can be programmed to allow the automation of some responses so jurors receive instant answers. Other requests will still require personal interaction with court staff. These changes will drastically reduce the amount of data entry to be performed by Court staff and will allow trials to start earlier.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Court was awarded a grant from the Supreme Court of Ohio to pay for the upgrade to the jury management system. Contingent on the passage of ordinance #1442-2016.
Emergency legislation is requested to allow the project to be complete within the short deadline given by the Supreme Court.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Jury Systems Incorporated; to authorize the expenditure of up to $35,355.00 for jury management system software, maintenance, and setup; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code and to declare an emergency. ($35,355.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Court has determined that it is in its best interest to enter into contract with Jury Systems, Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is requested as an emergency to permit the timely procurement of needed services; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract and authorize the expenditure for jury management software, maintenance, and setup with Jury Systems, Incorporated thereby preserving 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 Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Jury Systems Incorporated for jury management system software, maintenance, and setup.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of the aforesaid contract, the expenditure of $35,355 or as much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court, see attachment.
SECTION 3. That the provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code related to competitive bidding are hereby waived
SECTION 4. That for the 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.