Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development (the “Director”) to enter into a Grant Agreement with the North Market Development Authority, Inc., an Ohio nonprofit corporation (NMDA, hereinafter the “Grantee”). The Department of Development will submit for City Council consideration, all necessary legislation to authorize the Director to enter into one or more subsequent agreements with the Grantee to authorize City grants not to exceed the amount of nine hundred fifty thousand dollars ($950,000) to be distributed over the course of three (3) consecutive years to help mitigate the business disruption to the North Market and the small businesses operating there. Four hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($475,000) is to be dispersed in 2023, three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) in 2024, and up to one hundred twenty five thousand dollars ($125,000) in 2025.
On Franklin County Auditor Tax Parcel ID 010-054645, the City owns and leases to the Grantee a longstanding public market in Columbus that is an incubator and innovator of small businesses while providing the residents local products and cultural vibrancy (the “North Market”). Recently, remediation and construction activities began on and adjacent to the City-owned neighboring Franklin County Auditor Tax ID Parcel 010-307276, specifically at the location of the Grantee’s previous leased parking lot. Patrons of the North Market have been using alternate parking provided in a parking facility on Vine Street and then navigating around closed sidewalks. Also, the main entrance of the North Market located on the east side of the building was closed, which has limited access to the entrance on the Park Street side of the North Market. Construction activities are expected to continue through 2026, which will impact the continued operation of the North Market by the Grantee as well as impact its vendors and patrons.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
The vendor number is 034112 and compliance is pending.
3. FISCAL IMPACTS
This legislation authorizes the transfer within a fund and the expenditure of four hundred seventy-five thousand ($475,000) from the 2023 General Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Grant Agreement with the North Market Development Authority, Inc. for the purpose of providing operational support to the nonprofit organization due to budgetary impacts as a result of the ongoing remediation and construction activities on the adjacent parcel; to authorize the transfer and expenditure of up to $475,000 from the General Fund. ($475,000)
Body
WHEREAS, the City owns and leases a long standing public market in Columbus that is an incubator and innovator of small businesses while providing the residents local products and cultural vibrancy (the “North Market”) to the North Market Development Authority, Inc., an Ohio nonprofit corporation (NMDA, hereinafter the “Grantee”); and
WHEREAS, the remediation and construction activities on and in the vicinity of the adjacent North Market parking lot have impacted the ability for patrons to access the North Market by ways of limiting parking and entrance into the North Market; and
WHEREAS, Department of Development desires to help mitigate the operational impact of the Grantee and the small businesses operating at the North Market by entering into a Grant Agreement that is subject to City Council approval; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development has made a commitment to support the North Market and the Grantee in the amount of up to nine hundred fifty thousand dollars ($950,000) collectively over three consecutive years; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the transfer of cash within a fund and authorizes the expenditure of the first year’s grant in the amount of four-hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($475,000); and
WHEREAS, this grant will allow for the continual operation of the North Market by the Grantee during the construction on the adjacent parcel through 2026; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into an Grant Agreement, on behalf of the City, with the North Market Development Authority, Inc. to provide operational support to the nonprofit organization due to the budgetary impact as a result of the ongoing remediation and construction activities on the neighboring parcel.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $475,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept.-Div 44-01 (Administration), object class 03 to Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development), object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $475,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept. 44-02 (Economic Development), in Object Class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code related to awarding 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 City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest date permitted by law.