Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is authorize the Board of Health to enter into contract with Ohio State University Hospitals for COVID-19 testing services conducted on the Columbus Public Health Front Loop and other assigned areas from June 9, 2020 through December 30, 2020 for a total contract amount of $883,355.60.
The City of Columbus, Columbus Public Health received funding from the United States Department of Treasury through the CARES Act to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. CPH is using a portion of this funding to increase and expand testing services for COVID- 19 at the Columbus Public Health front loop and other assigned areas to prevent further spread of coronavirus disease.
Due to the immediate need to increase testing services for COVID-19, CPH requested an emergency waiver of the provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 from the Director of the Division of Finance and Management following the procedures set forth under the Mayor’s Executive Order 2020-01 “Declaration of State of Emergency.” That waiver was approved and PO239304 was established with Ohio State University Hospitals with the provision that this ordinance would be drafted for City Council approval.
Emergency action is requested to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City’s accounting system as soon as possible to bolster the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
FISCAL IMPACT: This contract is funded by CARES Act fund 2207 in the amount of $883,355.60.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Ohio State University Hospitals to expand and increase COVID-19 testing in the amount of $883,355.60; to authorize the expenditure of $883,355.60 from the CARES Act Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($883,355.60)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a need to expand and increase COVID-19 testing to inform and promote healthy lifestyles to prevent the further spread of coronavirus disease; and
WHEREAS, expenditures of CARES Act funding to provide testing services is necessary to inform and promote healthy lifestyles to prevent the further spread of disease caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 budget; and
WHEREAS, Ohio State University Hospitals has been awarded the contract to expand and increase testing services at the Columbus Public Health front loop and other assigned areas to help prevent the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the contract period is June 9, 2020 through December 30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to enter into contract with Ohio State University Hospitals for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Ohio State University Hospitals in the amount of $883,355.60 for the time period of June 9, 2020 through December 30, 2020.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $883,355.60 is hereby authorized from the CARES Act Fund, Fund No. 2207, Department of Health, Department No. 5001, per PO239304.
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 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.