Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court (FCMC) to enter into a contract with the Greater Columbus Convention Center (CCC) to defray the parking expenses for residents at the Convention Center.
Under the current public health guidance associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Franklin County Municipal Court’s operations have been severely impacted with the inability to fully utilize the Court facility to execute dockets. Ordinance 1272-2020 authorized an agreement between the FCMC and the CCC to temporarily utilize the Convention Center as courtroom space to safely resume much of the Court’s operations.
In doing so, many residents could be adversely impacted with the need to park and navigate an unfamiliar facility. Furthermore, recent protests caused street closures and a temporary disruption in bus service that could have presented further challenges to residents traveling to the Convention Center for their business at the Court. In alignment with the use of CARES Act funding to support the expense of utilizing the Convention Center as a temporary courthouse, the city will likewise utilize CARES Act funding to provide modest relief to residents parking at the Convention Center.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available with the CARES Act fund.
Emergency action is requested in order to immediately provide relief to residents traveling to the Convention Center for Court business.
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 defray the cost of parking for residents utilizing the Convention Center as a courthouse; to authorize a transfer of appropriations between departments; to authorize an expenditure within the CARES Act fund; and to declare an emergency. ($30,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, under the current public health guidance associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Franklin County Municipal Court will temporarily utilize the Convention Center as courtroom space to safely resume much of the Court’s operations; and
WHEREAS, many residents could be adversely impacted with the need to park and navigate an unfamiliar facility; and
WHEREAS, in alignment with the use of CARES Act funding to support the expense of utilizing the Convention Center as a temporary courthouse, the city will likewise utilize CARES Act funding to provide modest relief to residents parking at the Convention Center; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to provide relief to residents traveling to the Convention Center for Court business; 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 to provide relief to residents associated with parking expenses at the Convention Center.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer appropriations within the CARES Act fund, fund 2207, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized in SECTION 1, the expenditure of $30,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the CARES Act fund in object class 03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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.