Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health has been awarded a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation. This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $59,695.00 in grant money to fund the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program for the period July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024.
The overall focus of the grant project will be building City of Columbus' capacity to advance racial equity within bike culture and industry. In collaboration with the Commission on Black Girls, two major activities are planned: (1) formation of a "Girls in Gear" team of youth leaders for the Safe Routes to School program, and (2) engagement of two Columbus Safe Routes to School Partnership members in process of racial equity impact assessment.
An update to the 2015 Safe Routes plan was recently endorsed by the Columbus City Schools Board of Education and submitted for endorsement to Columbus City Council. The proposed activities will complement the ongoing physical changes to the infrastructure in the program's Focus neighborhoods (Linden, Hilltop, Franklinton, South Side and Near East) funded, in part, by Safe Routes to School grant money. The project will leverage existing city plans and staff resources to develop a work plan and manage implementation.
Emergency action is requested to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City's accounting system as soon as possible. Up to date financial posting promotes accurate accounting and financial management.
FISCAL IMPACT: The program is fully funded by the Ohio Department of Transportation up to $59,695.00 and does not generate revenue or require a city match. ($59,695.00)
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept grant funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation in the amount of $59,695.00 and any additional funds for the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program; to authorize the appropriation of $59,695.00 and any additional funds from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program; and to declare an emergency. ($59,695.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $59,695.00 in grant funds have been made available to Columbus Public Health through the Ohio Department of Transportation for the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the support of the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program; and,
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the support of the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these additional funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the support of the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department.; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to accept this grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, and to appropriate these funds to the Health Department 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept a grant award of $59,695.00 from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program for the period July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources for the period ending June 30, 2024, the sum of $59,695.00 is hereby appropriated to the Health Department, Division No. 5001 per the accounting codes attached in this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon the order of the Health Commissioner, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. 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 may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept any additional grant awards from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024.
SECTION 7. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources for the period ending June 30, 2024, any additional awarded funds are appropriated in Fund 2251 according to notification of award or grant agreement by the grantor.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the 2022-2024 Safe Routes to Schools Program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department to carry our the purpose of the grant.
SECTION 9. That for 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 or vetoes the same.