Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with StepMobile, LLC, to implement software that will create electronic workflow and an electronic bench tool that will allow for many traditionally manual processes to become electronic. The need for the ability to conduct work using technology is a direct reflection of the impact that COVID-19 has had on the business model for the Court. This software will have a significant impact on the ability for staff to work remotely, reduce paper and file handling, and automate many manual processes into electronic workflows.
Franklin County Municipal Court has previously contracted with StepMobile, LLC to provide software implementation with the Ohio Community Supervision System (OCSS) Shared Case Management System. This new software implementation will interface with OCSS. As a consequence, this is a sole source provider under section 329.19 (e) of the City Code.
StepMobile’s Federal Tax Id is 47-3459867.
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 in order to begin this implementation as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with StepMobile LLC as a sole source provider according to Chapter 329 of the City Code; to authorize the expenditure of up to $329,700.00 from the CARES Act Fund for implementation and use of software that will implement an electronic workflow and electronic bench tool; and to declare an emergency. ($329,700.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID -19 pandemic has resulted in the need for the ability to conduct work using technology and is a direct reflection of the impact that COVID-19 has had on the business model for the Court. The Court has determined that it is necessary to implement software to provide for safe and efficient operations; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding to the Franklin County Municipal Court to implement software to automate manual processes is necessary to address the need to reduce paper and file handling to provide for safe and efficient operations 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, $329,700 is needed to provide for the software implementation and associated hardware; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Municipal Court has determined that it is in its best interest to enter into contract with StepMobile; and
WHEREAS, StepMobile is a sole source provider; 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 enter into contract with StepMobile and authorize the expenditure for implementation of electronic file implementation in order to begin this implementation as soon as possible, thereby preserving 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 Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with StepMobile for implementation and use of software to create electronic workflow.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $329,700 or as much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges' CARES Act Fund allocation during the period that begins on March 1 2020, and ends on December 30, 2020, according to the account codes in the attachment.
SECTION 3. That StepMobile LLC is a sole source provider under Chapter 329 of the City Code.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance is hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessray.
SECTION 5. 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.