Label
Dept. of Law
Title
Endorsement of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation Region 4 Board structure, authorizing the Mayor to appoint the City of Toledo’s representatives; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The City of Toledo has been involved as a plaintiff in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio against various defendants in the pharmaceutical supply chain related to the devastating impact the opioid epidemic has had on the Toledo community. Other governmental entities across Ohio and the country are participating in related litigation.
In March 2020, the State of Ohio and local governments throughout the State banded together to create the OneOhio Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), giving Ohio’s local governments (counties, townships, cities and villages) a direct role in directing opioid litigation funds to implement strategies for community recovery from the opioid crisis. Ordinance 123-20 authorized the City to participate in the OneOhio MOU. Pursuant to that authorization, the Mayor executed a document on August 10, 2021, signaling the City’s willingness to move forward with the MOU.
The OneOhio plan calls for the recovery of any settlement funds to be directed as follows: 30 percent to local governments such as the City of Toledo; 55 percent to a statewide OneOhio Recovery Foundation through which local governments may apply to seek money to address issues related to the opioid crisis; and 15 percent to the State of Ohio. The foundation funds will be allocated by region. The settlement funds will be restricted for use to address the opioid epidemic and related costs.
The City of Toledo is located in what has been designated as Region 4 of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation. Region 4 has the same geographic boundaries as Lucas County, and will have representation from various governmental entities throughout the region. The purpose of the foundation and its regional components would be to help abate the opioid crisis through investment in programs that address prevention, treatment, recovery, public awareness, criminal justice, and other services.
This ordinance would signal the City’s support of the proposed Region 4 board structure, and authorize the Mayor to appoint two members. The board would consist of three representatives appointed by the Lucas County Board of Commissioners; two representatives from the City of Toledo; one representative appointed by a simple majority of the municipalities of Lucas County, excluding any municipality that already has a seat; and one representative appointed by a simple majority of the townships of Lucas County.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the City of Toledo supports the establishment of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation Region 4 Board with the following representation:
Three representatives appointed by the Board of County Commissioners;
Two representatives appointed by the City of Toledo;
One representative appointed by a simple majority of the municipalities of Lucas County,
excluding any municipality that already has a seat; and
One representative appointed by a simple majority of the townships of Lucas County.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor is authorized to appoint two people to represent the City of Toledo on the OneOhio Recovery Foundation Region 4 Board. Those appointments would be subject to the approval of Council. The City of Toledo representatives will serve for a term to be determined by the bylaws that will be established by the Region 4 Board.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance, being an emergency measure, shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, safety, and property and for further reason that this ordinance must immediately be effective so that the City can name its representatives as soon as possible to the OneOhio Recovery Foundation Region 4 Board.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Passed: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council