Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes 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 to the CCC in order to continue 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: This contract will be funded by the Franklin County Municipal Court. The amount of this contract is not to exceed $335,000.00.
EMERGENCY: Emergency legislation is requested to authorize the court to enter into contract and to continue hearing cases in a safe manner as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize and direct 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 to the CCC in order to continue to mitigate the health and safety risks associated with the COVID-19 emergency; to authorize the transfer of appropriation within, and the expenditure of up to $335,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($335,000.00)
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, it is necessary for the City of Columbus and the Franklin County Municipal Court to address and adhere to the social distancing guidelines issued by the CDC caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Municipal Court is presented with an opportunity to continue 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 in that 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; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Administrating 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 March 31, 2021.
SECTION 2. That for the purposes stated in Section 1, the amount of $335,000.00 or as much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be transferred within and expended from the General Fund 1000, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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.