Explanation
Background
This ordinance is submitted to settle the charge of discrimination known as Katherine Joseph v. City of Columbus, et al. pending before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Charge No. COLB1 (49634) 04202022 / 22A-2022-02195, in the amount of eighty thousand, dollars ($80,000.00). Ms. Joseph is a Program Manager II with the Department of Public Health. Ms. Joseph filed a complaint alleging disability discrimination with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
Fiscal Impact: Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient monies are available within the 2022 Health Special Revenue Fund 2250 to pay the amount of this claim.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is necessary to ensure settlement is paid in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to settle the case of Katherine Joseph v. City of Columbus, et al. pending before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission; to authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer $80,000.00 within the Health Special Revenue Fund 2250; to authorize the expenditure of $80,000.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund in payment of the settlement; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available within the 2022 Health Special Revenue Fund budget to pay the amount of this claim; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Health, in that it is necessary for this ordinance to be effective immediately in order for the parties to effectuate the settlement of this lawsuit, which is in the best interest of the City, and to pay the agreed sum in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the City Attorney be and is hereby authorized to settle all claims against the City of Columbus, its officers, agents and employees in the lawsuit of Katherine Joseph v. City of Columbus, et al., Charge No. COLB1(49634)04202022 / 22A-2022-02195, pending before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, by payment of eighty thousand dollars ($80,000.00) as a reasonable and fair amount, and in the best interest of the City of Columbus.
Section 2. That the transfer $80,000.00 from object class 01 to object class 05, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the Health Special Revenue Fund, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
Section 3. That the expenditure of up to $80,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in Health's Special Revenue Fund, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
Section 4. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to draw a warrant upon the City Treasurer for the sum of $80,000.00, subject to applicable deductions, withholdings, and employer contributions, payable to Katherine Joseph for back pay upon receipt of a voucher and a release approved by the City Attorney.
Section 5. That for the 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.