Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into a contract with the Greater Columbus Convention Center (CCC) to temporarily house certain high volume dockets within the CCC in order to mitigate the health and safety risks associated with the resumption of hearing cases that have been delayed as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.
Under normal circumstances, the Municipal Court is one of the busiest buildings in central Ohio. In order to best accommodate the health and social distancing requirements and to safely resume operations, some of the Court’s highest volume dockets need to be removed from the building and held at an alternate location.
The Greater Columbus Convention Center federal tax id is 31-1251788.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available within the CARES Act-City COVID-19 response fund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY: Emergency legislation is requested to authorize the court to enter into contract and resume these hearing cases in as safe a manner and as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize the Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with the Greater Columbus Convention Center (CCC) to temporarily house certain high volume dockets within the CCC in order to mitigate the health and safety risks associated with the resumption of hearing cases that have been delayed as a result of the COVID-19 emergency; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $365,000.00 for space rental and ancillary services from the CARES Act-City COVID-19 response subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($365,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the need to provide an alternate location to temporarily house certain high volume dockets in order to mitigate the health and safety risks associated with the resumption of hearing cases that have been delayed as a result of the COVID-19 emergency; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding to the Franklin County Municipal Court is necessary to address and adhere to the social distancing guidelines issued by the CDC caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, $365,000.00 is needed to best accommodate the health and social distancing requirements and to safely resume operations; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Municipal Court is presented with an opportunity to utilize space at the Greater Columbus Convention Center; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court and it is immediately necessary to authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge to contract additional space to best accommodate the health and social distancing requirements and to safely resume operations thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 Budget; 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 the Greater Columbus Convention Center through the period ending August 30, 2020.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $365,000.00, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the CARES Act - City COVID-19 Response fund according to the account codes in the attachment.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
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.