Explanation
BACKGROUND: The City of Columbus received five Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs (OJPP), U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) sub-awards totaling $1,223,304. This ordinance accepts and appropriates $1,223,304 in award funds. CESF funds are awarded to justice departments to provide additional resources allowing for enhancement and modification of daily operations in manners that promote quality and uninterrupted service while taking measures to prevent/control the spread of COVID-19 for the period of January 20, 2020 through December 31, 2021.
CESF funds awarded to the City of Columbus ($1,223,304) benefit justice departments working directly with the general public, prosecuting witnesses, victims, defendants and perpetrators of crime i.e. first responders, clerk of courts, City prosecutors, court administration and community corrections. Funding ensures that municipal justice agencies have access to the supplies and services needed for personal protection, personal and environmental sanitation/decontamination and operational and technical supports to enhance remote and/or distanced service delivery. Columbus Department of Public Safety will receive $754,000 in CESF award funds. Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk’s Office will receive $91,480 in CESF award funds. The Columbus City Attorney’s Office will receive $13,000 in CESF award funds. Franklin County Municipal Court Administration will receive $77,409 in CESF award funds. Franklin County Municipal Court Pretrial & Probation Services will receive $287,415 in CESF award funds.
EMERGENCY ACTION: This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to support immediate COVID-19 related expenses and to move COVID-19 expenses incurred on or after January 20th, 2020 from the General Fund to grant project accounts.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the acceptance and appropriation of $1,223,304 in Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs (OJPP) U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance, Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) sub-award funding to offset COVID-19 related expenses for the aforementioned justice departments/divisions. This initiative does not generate any revenue nor require a City match.
Award Period: 1/20/2020 - 12/31/2021
Federal Award:
20-CESF-1000: CESF Columbus Public Safety, $754,000
20-CESF-1010: CESF Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk’s Office, $91,480
20-CESF-1020: CESF Columbus City Attorney’s Office, $13,000
20-CESF-1030: CESF Franklin County Municipal Court Administration, $77,409
20-CESF-1040: CESF Franklin County Municipal Court Pretrial & Probation Services, $287,415
Total Award: $1,223,304, no City match required
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Safety to accept Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs (OJPP), U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) sub-awards totaling $1,223,304.00; to appropriate award funds to Columbus Public Safety, Franklin County Municipal Court and Columbus City Attorney Office for COVID-19 related expenses incurred between January 20, 2020 and December 31, 2021; to authorize the appropriation of $1,223,304.00 from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grants Fund 2220; and to declare an emergency. ($1,223,304.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs (OJPP) sub-awarded $1,223,304 in U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs (OJPP) to address COVID-19 related expenses; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to accept said project award; and
WHEREAS, the award budget period is January 20th, 2020 through December 31st, 2021; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the named City departments and divisions, therefore it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Safety to accept and appropriate award funds to purchase needed supplies and services and move COVID-19 related expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020 from the General Fund to grant project accounts, for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Office of Public Safety is hereby authorized to accept CESF sub-award money totaling $1,223,304 from the Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs (OJPP) for COVID-19 related expenses for the period of January 20th, 2020 through December 31st, 2021.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the General Government Grants Fund No. 2220, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the grant period, the sum of $1,223,304 is hereby appropriated to the Columbus Public Safety, Department 30; Franklin County Municipal Court, Departments 25 & 26; and Columbus City Attorney, Department 24, according to the attached accounting document.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon order of the City departments and divisions named above and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except upon voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That, at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies, if applicable, may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originate in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That for 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.