Explanation
This ordinance authorizes an appropriation to Columbus Public Health within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund in support of the department’s child car seat program.
The Car Seat Program helps provide car seats and booster seats at a reduced cost to eligible families in need. To get a car seat, families must participate in a car seat class at Columbus Public Health. The class runs 60-90 minutes and teaches the safety features of the car seat, including how to install it in a vehicle correctly. Certified staff members ensure that every family leaves with their car seat(s) installed correctly.
This program has experienced a continued high level of interest and demand, increasing the need for products to distribute within the community. The increased work with the immigrant and refugee population, who often need multiple seats at once, has also accelerated the need for additional commodities.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to immediately acquire necessary child safety products for distribution.
Title
To authorize an appropriation to Columbus Public Health within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund in support of the department’s child car seat program; and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in an effort to address the infant mortality rate in central Ohio, Columbus Public Health distributes car seats and booster seats at significantly reduced rates to income-eligible families; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council has provided supplemental resources to Columbus Public Health in response to increasing community demand for car seats and to reduce the wait list for those in need; and
WHEREAS, community demand has continued to increase, and in order to keep up with demand, Columbus City Council deems it an effective use of funds to provide Columbus Public Health with additional resources to procure car seats; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the city in that it is immediately necessary to provide Columbus Public Health with supplemental resources in order to keep up with increased community demand; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $20,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus Public Health, in Object Class 02 - Materials and Supplies, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 1 shall be paid upon the order of the Health Commissioner, 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 3. 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 its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.