Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the appropriation of $70,000.00 to add to an existing $20,000.00 resulting in the authorizing of an expenditure of $90,000.00 in the general fund by the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Columbus Division of Police, for the Teens and Police Service Partners (TAPS) Academy mentorship program
The TAPS program was initially established in 2013 with funds from the FY12 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant, through the Franklin County Commissioners. This program serves at-risk juveniles at four middle and high schools between ages 13 to 17 years old. These youths will receive intensive mentoring by Police Officers trained in the TAPS Academy curriculum developed by the Houston Police Department. The Academy will provide a structured environment that is geared to mentor through an academic and humanitarian approach, with strong emphasis on interaction and conversation. The academic approach will stress an established curriculum designed to address topics such as Anger Management, Bullying, Avoiding Gang Life, Avoiding Narcotics, Conflict Management/Resolution, Team Building, Truancy, How to Respond to an Active Shooter, Safe Driving, Combating Alcohol and Drug abuse, etc.
This $90,000.00 total for TAPS will allow for funding ongoing expenses for the program to allow the Division of Police to continue offering these services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Total appropriation is $90,000.00 and is available in the 2023 budget.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested in order to fund ongoing expenses to avoid any interruption in the summer program.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $70,000.00 in the general fund to the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Columbus Division of Police, for the Teens and Police Service (TAPS) Academy mentorship program; to authorize an expenditure for the performance of the TAPS program; and to declare an emergency. ($90,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Teens and Police Service (TAPS) Academy program was initially established in 2013 with funds from the FY12 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant, through the Franklin County Commissioners; and,
WHEREAS, this program serves at-risk juveniles at four middle and high schools between ages 13 to 17 years old who receive intensive mentoring by police officers trained in the TAPS Academy curriculum developed by the Houston Police Department; and,
WHEREAS, TAPS Academy will provide a structured environment that is geared to mentor through an academic and humanitarian approach, with strong emphasis on interaction and conversation; and,
WHEREAS, additional funding for TAPS Academy will cover ongoing expenses the program to avoid any interruptions in service; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of City Council, in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate funding to the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Police, so that the Division may continue the program uninterrupted, thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $70,000.00 to the Department of Public Safety within the Public Safety Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100016, in 03-Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $90,000.00 is hereby authorized, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 nor vetoes the same.