Explanation
This ordinance authorizes an appropriation to Columbus City Council for the purchase of reflectors to distribute to children.
On September 18, 2019, Elizabeth Robertson-Rutland, an 11-year old sixth grader attending Sherwood Middle School, was struck by two vehicles and killed while crossing McNaughten Road to reach a school bus stop. The tragedy has highlighted the need for increased coordination between the City of Columbus and Columbus City Schools with regard to sidewalk and infrastructure planning, with an emphasis on providing safe routes to schools for all Columbus residents.
While the ongoing installation of sidewalks, crosswalks, and other measures will significantly increase pedestrian safety, the purchase and distribution of reflector devices will improve the visibility of students walking along roads and crossing streets.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in the acquisition and distribution of safety devices to students.
Title
To authorize an appropriation of $10,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund of the general fund to Columbus City Council for the purchase of reflectors; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, on September 18, 2019, Elizabeth Robertson-Rutland, an 11-year old sixth grader attending Sherwood Middle School, was struck by two vehicles and killed while crossing McNaughten Road to reach a school bus stop; and
WHEREAS, the tragedy has highlighted the need for increased coordination between the City of Columbus and Columbus City Schools with regard to sidewalk and infrastructure planning, with an emphasis on providing safe routes to schools for all Columbus residents; and
WHEREAS, while the ongoing installation of sidewalks, crosswalks, and other measures will significantly increase pedestrian safety, the purchase and distribution of reflector devices will improve the visibility of students walking along roads and crossing streets; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the city in that it is immediately necessary to authorize an appropriation to Columbus City Council in order to avoid any delay in the acquisition and distribution of safety devices to students; 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 $10,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. 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.