Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the appropriation of $25,000.00 and an expenditure of $10,000.00 to purchase baby changing stations to advance the City's interest of providing equal access to parents of different sexes to baby changing accommodations in public-serving establishments.
FISCAL IMPACT: $25,000 is available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize and direct Columbus Public Health to enter into a contract with Foundations World Wide, Inc. for baby changing stations; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code; to authorize the distribution at no charge to eligible individuals and businesses in the City of Columbus for installation; and to authorize the appropriation of $25,000.00 and the expenditure of $10,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is a city of over 850,000 residents, with over twenty-three percent of the population under the age of 18 and nearly even split between male and female residents; and
WHEREAS, many public facilities only offer changing tables in women’s restrooms, making them inaccessible to fathers and males involved in parenting functions; and
WHEREAS, the National Center for Health Statistics reports that ninety percent of fathers who live with their children bathe, diaper, and dress their children every day or several times a week; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code 329 to authorize this contract; and
WHEREAS, equal access to changing stations in public restrooms ensures responsible fatherhood by enabling both mothers and fathers to diaper their sons and daughters; 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 $25,000 in the general fund, Neighborhood Initiatives subfund fund 1000, subfu...
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