Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Lower Lights Christian Health Center Inc. in an amount up to $1,000,000.00 for the purpose of establishing a new location in the Northland neighborhood and expanding pharmacy services, primary care, and women’s health services. The new location in the Northland area will close a gap in services in the area and ensure healthcare is accessible and affordable for all residents. The new Northland location will include a Women’s Health and Behavioral Health Suite, an onsite 340B pharmacy, and a community education center. As Columbus continues to grow and welcome more neighbors each year, it is crucial to ensure all residents have access to the affordable healthcare services they need to thrive. Health and access to healthcare directly influences other social determinants of health, including employment, income, expenses, and debt. When neighbors are healthy, they are able to stay employed and finances can support daily needs such as providing food and staying stably housed, which in turn increases positive health outcomes. When healthcare is accessible to all neighbors, Columbus can continue to be a healthy community, where everyone can thrive. This ordinance also authorizes payment of eligible expenses, including soft costs, prior to the purchase order beginning August 1, 2025. Payments will be advanced on a predetermined schedule provided in the terms of the agreement.
Emergency action is necessary to ensure the payment per the commitment is made, allowing for the intended renovations to be completed per the organization’s renovation schedule. Renovations will allow for the continuous and expanded provision of services and ensure all Columbus residents have access to high quality healthcare.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available with the Development Taxable Bonds Fund, 7739.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: CC- CC024638 expires 4/2/2027
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Lower Lights Christian Health Center Inc. to build out a new location for expanded service provision and organizational operations; to authorize the expenditure of $1,000,000.00 from the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize expenses incurred prior to purchase order execution, beginning August 1, 2025; to authorize the advancement of funds on a predetermined schedule provided in the terms of the agreement; and to declare an emergency. ($1,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Lower Lights Christian Health Center Inc. is a faith-based, patient-centered community of health centers, committed to delivering high-quality, affordable health care services, focusing on the whole-person wellness; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement in the amount of $1,000,000.00 with Lower Lights Christian Health Center Inc. for the renovation and update of the existing building and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, to authorize an expenditure within the Development Taxable Bond Fund in an amount up to $1,000,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order, starting August 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to also authorize advanced funds per a pre-determined schedule provided in the terms of the agreement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into an agreement with Lower Lights Christian Health Center Inc. to ensure that payment per the commitment is made, allowing for the intended renovations to be completed per the organization’s renovation schedule, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a Grant Agreement in an amount up to $1,000,000.00, with Lower Lights Christian Health Center Inc. for building renovations, to authorize expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order, starting August 1, 2025, and to advance funding per a predetermined schedule.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,000,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bonds), Project 200033-100000 (Lower Lights Health Center), Dept. 44-01 (Administrative), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) 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 hereby 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 the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 6. 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 and shall take effect and be in force from and after its approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.