Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes an amendment to Ordinance No. 0798-2024, passed by Columbus City Council on March 21, 2024, to allow for a change of the type of contract from a “not-for-profit service contract” to a “grant agreement”. This will allow the city greater flexibility to provide CSB with advanced payments that will help the organization avoid delays in payment, particularly in winter months when there is a greater demand for their services.
Ordinance No. 0798-2024, passed by Columbus City Council on March 21, 2024, authorized the Director of the Department Development to enter into a non-profit service contract with the Community Shelter Board (CSB) in an amount up to $5,409,650.00 to administer five initiatives to address homelessness in the City of Columbus and to authorize the payment of expenses starting January 1, 2024.
To increase the capacity of the funds provided to CSB, advanced payments are needed. This change will resolve cash flow issues the organization has faced in Q4 of our fiscal year. This was not an issue the city was aware of when the ordinance was originally drafted. The city is not able to provide advanced payments under a not-for-profit service contract, so this request will amend the original ordinance to a “grant agreement”. The authorization to purchase food and non-alcoholic beverages, as “operating costs” to serve the public purpose for populations experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and food insecurity.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any disruption of essential services to our vulnerable unhoused residents.
Title
To amend Ordinance No. 0798-2024, passed by Columbus City Council on March 21, 2024, to allow for a change of the type of contract from a “not-for-profit service contract” to a “grant agreement”, to authorize the payment for reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverages; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 0798-2024, passed by Columbus City Council on March 21, 2024, authorized the Director of the Department Development to enter into a non-profit service contract with the Community Shelter Board (CSB) in an amount up to $5,409,650.00 to administer five initiatives to address homelessness in the City of Columbus and to authorize the payment of expenses starting January 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, to increase the capacity of the funds provided to CSB, advanced payments are needed. This change will resolve cash flow issues the organization has faced in Q4 of our fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, this was not an issue the city was aware of when the ordinance was originally drafted. The city is not able to provide advanced payments under a not-for-profit service contract, so this request will amend the original ordinance to a “grant agreement”; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council acknowledges and defines the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages as “operating costs”, to serve the public purpose for populations experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and food insecurity.
WHEREAS, Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any disruption of essential services to our vulnerable unhoused residents; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Section 1 of Ordinance No. 0798-2024 be amended to read as follows:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized enter into a non-profit service contract grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board, effective January 1, 2024, and ending January 31, 2025, for the purpose of continuing the City’s support for men, women and families who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness in our city.
SECTION 2. That Section 2 of Ordinance No. 0798-2024 be repealed entirely.
SECTION 3. That Section 3 of Ordinance No. 0798-2024 be amended to read as follows:
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $20,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept.-Div 30-01 (Director’s Office), Object Class 03 (Contractual Services), to Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), Object Class 03 (Contractual Services) 05 (Other Expenditures) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That Section 4 of Ordinance No. 0798-2024 be amended to read as follows:
SECTION 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $5,409,650.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), in Object Class 03 (Contractual Services) 05 (Other Expenditures) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That Section 5 of Ordinance No. 0798-2024 be amended to read as follows:
SECTION 5. That this contract is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 111 of City Code relating to the process for awarding not-for-profit service contracts grants.
SECTION 6. That the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages as “operating costs” associated with the provision of services to populations experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and food insecurity constitutes a proper public purpose and is hereby authorized.
SECTION 7. That existing Section’s 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Ordinance No. 0798-2024 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 8. 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 which 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 it.