Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a contract with Columbus Humane, formerly known as Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS) to provide funding to assist with the provision of licensed humane agents to perform animal cruelty investigations within the City of Columbus. Columbus Humane has increased dispatch coverage in order to help Public Safety with calls for assistance up to seven days a week. These investigations are performed in accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 1717 in order to protect at-risk animals in the community. Consistent with the City of Columbus' public safety efforts, Columbus Humane shall notify the appropriate legal authorities of affirmed animal abuse, neglect, and suspected abuse toward humans.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract were budgeted at $225,000.00 in the Safety Director's 2021 general fund budget within the Department of Public Safety. The City contracted with CAHS for $200,000.00 in 2015 and 2016. Funding in the amount of $225,000 was provided in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. This ordinance is contingent upon passage of the 2021 General Fund Operating budget, ordinance 2502-2020.
Emergency action is requested in order to continue seven-day dispatch coverage without interruption.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a contract with Columbus Humane to perform animal cruelty investigations; to authorize the expenditure of $225,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($225,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety, through its Director's Office, desires to enter into a contract with Columbus Humane, formerly known as Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS); and,
WHEREAS, this contract will allow for dispatch coverage by Columbus Humane to assist in the funding of licensed humane agents for the purpose of conducting animal cruelty investigations within the City of Columbus for the protection of at-risk animals in the community and in the interest of overall public safety; and,
WHEREAS, funds for this contract were budgeted within the Safety Director's Office 2021 general fund budget; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to contract with Columbus Humane in order to assist in funding licensed humane agents for the purpose of conducting animal cruelty investigations within the City of Columbus 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 Director of the Department of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Columbus Humane, formerly known as the Capital Area Humane Society, to assist in funding licensed humane agents and calls for assistance up to seven days a week for animal cruelty investigations within the City of Columbus for the period to commence February 22, 2021 through March 31, 2022, in the amount of $225,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $225,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the General Fund 1000-100010 in object Class 03 Support of Community Agencies per the accounting codes in the spreadsheet attached to this ordinance.
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 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.