DATE: 12/16/2002	SUBJECT: FINAL READING ORDINANCE NO. 2002-O-320 Amending the City of Laredo 2002-2003 budget by increasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $26,667 (from $13,333 to $40,000) for the Hepatitis C Screening Project of the City of Laredo Health Department and extending the contract period from September 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002, to September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003.
INITIATED BY: STAFF SOURCE: Cynthia Collazo Hector F. Gonzalez, M.D., M.P.H. Acting City Manager Health Director
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: On December 2, 2002, Council held public hearing introducing ordinance and instructed staff to proceed with final reading.
BACKGROUND: The City of Laredo Health Department’s HIV/AIDS Program was awarded $13,333 to conduct Hepatitis C Screening Project. The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C in our local high-risk population. Hepatitis C (HCV) is one type of virus that can damage the liver, a vital organ that has many functions. About 30% to 40% of new Hepatitis C infections develop symptoms. Symptoms may include fatigue, mild fever, flu-like illness, nausea and vomiting, stomachache, and loss of appetite. Up to 70% of those newly infected with HCV will be asymptomatic and not know that they are infected. Amongst those infected with HCV, 20% will develop chronic liver disease and suffer serious liver damage as a result of their Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). The remaining 70% who develop chronic liver damage will not develop serious liver problems. Moreover, 5% of those people with HCV will die from liver failure or liver cancer, and 15% will naturally resolve the infection on their own. Hepatitis C is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States. Severe liver disease from Hepatitis C accounts for one quarter to one third of all liver transplants in the nation. There are currently no vaccines or immune globulin products to prevent HCV. A person infected with either acute or chronic HCV may infect other people, especially if no safety measures are taken. The virus is found in blood and is usually spread by direct contact with blood products. The highest risk of getting infected with HCV comes from sharing needles with an infected person, i.e. for illegal drug usage, injecting steroids, tattoos, etc. The purpose of this amendment is to increase the revenues and expenditures by $26,667 and extend the contract period from September 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002, to September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003.
FINANCIAL: The City of Laredo will receive $26,667 in additional funds from the Texas Department of Health for the Hepatitis C Screening Project of the City of Laredo Health Department for the period beginning September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003. The revenue account is 226-0000-355-4085 and the expenditure account is 226-6074.
RECOMMENDATION:		STAFF: Recommends that Council approve ordinance.

There are no personnel costs involved in this grant.

BUDGET

ORDINANCE 2002-O-320

Amending the City of Laredo 2002-2003 budget by increasing revenues and expenditures in the amount of $26,667 the Hepatitis C Screening Project of the City of Laredo Health Department and extending the contract period from September 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002, to September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003.

WHEREAS, the City of Laredo Health Department’s HIV/AIDS Program was awarded $13,333 to conduct Hepatitis C Screening Project. The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C in our local high-risk population., and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis C (HCV) is one type of virus that can damage the liver, a vital organ that has many functions. About 30% to 40% of new Hepatitis C infections develop symptoms. Symptoms may include fatigue, mild fever, flu-like illness, nausea and vomiting, stomachache, and loss of appetite. Up to 70% of those newly infected with HCV will be asymptomatic and not know that they are infected. Amongst those infected with HCV, 20% will develop chronic liver disease and suffer serious liver damage as a result of their Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). The remaining 70% who develop chronic liver damage will not develop serious liver problems. Moreover, 5% of those people with HCV will die from liver failure or liver cancer, and 15% will naturally resolve the infection on their own; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States. Severe liver disease from Hepatitis C accounts for one quarter to one third of all liver transplants in the nation. There are currently no vaccines or immune globulin products to prevent HCV. A person infected with either acute or chronic HCV may infect other people, especially if no safety measures are taken. The virus is found in blood and is usually spread by direct contact with blood products. The highest risk of getting infected with HCV comes from sharing needles with an infected person, i.e. for illegal drug usage, injecting steroids, tattoos, etc., and

WHEREAS, the purpose of this amendment is to increase the revenues and expenditures by $26,667 and extend the contract period from September 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002, to September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAREDO THAT:

Section 1: The City Manager is hereby authorized to execute the contract and accept the grants and their provisions as set forth by the Texas Department of Health.

Section 2: The City of Laredo accepts funds in the amount of $26,667 in additional funds for the Hepatitis C Screening Project of the City of Laredo Health Department.

Section 3: Revenue line item 226-0000-323-4085 funded by the Texas Department of Health is hereby increased from $13,333 to $40,000.

Section 4: Expenditure line item 226-6074 is hereby increased from $13,333 to $40,000.

Section 5: The City Manager is hereby authorized to make transfers within the budget as allowable under the General Provisions of the existing general contract with the Texas Department of Health to meet the necessary costs to accomplish the scope of work for the project.

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR

ON THIS _________________ DAY OF ________________________, 2002.

________________________

ELIZABETH G. FLORES

MAYOR

ATTEST:

________________________

GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.

CITY SECRETARY

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

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JAIME FLORES

CITY ATTORNEY