Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter a planned modification of a professional services contract with Designing Local Ltd., in an amount up to $996,000.00, for the City’s “Reimagining Columbus” project that is funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s “Monuments Project” program grant. This modification is contingent upon the receipt of the remaining funds from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as part of year two’s activities.
Original Agreement $ 750,000.00 Ord. 1859-2023 PO404312
Modification No. 1 $ 996,000.00 Ord. 2330-2024
$1,746,000.00
The City proposed the Reimagining Columbus project to the Mellon Foundation and was awarded a $2 million grant. The funds shall be disbursed to the City in two tranches: one half was disbursed in the summer of 2023 and the remaining half has been or will be received in the summer 2024. As the lead consultant for project, Designing Local is responsible for project management, community engagement, landscape architecture, and oversight of subconsultants. Subconsultants include experts in public engagement, cultural competency, public art, place making, and design. In partnership with the Advisory Committees composed of local residents and community leaders they will conventional and restorative practices to glean insight and support the sharing of different perspectives and lived experiences.
In compliance with the requirements of 329.09(a) of the Columbus City Charter pertaining to contract renewals and modifications:
1) Amount of additional funds to be expended:
The additional amount of funds is $996,000.00, which is a portion of the $2,000,000.00 grant that was previously awarded with conditions.
2) Why the need for additional goods or services could not be foreseen at the time the contract was initially awarded:
The City was awarded the private grant through the Mellon Foundation with the understanding that to receive additional funds, the City must submit documentation of progress to be approved by the Mellon Foundation.
3) Why it would not be in the city's best interest to have the additional contract requirements awarded through other procurement processes specified in Chapter 329:
The City is a recipient of the grant and is not in contract with the Mellon Foundation except under those terms.
4) How the price for the additional goods or services which are the subject of the modification determined:
The Mellon Foundation is not a provider of goods and services
Emergency action is requested in order to assure the community engagement and discussions continue regarding the Reimagining Columbus project and to complete the work during the term of the grant which ends 09/30/2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding in the amount of $996,000.00 for this contract is available within the Private Grant Fund (2291) Mellon Foundation-Monuments Project grant G442300 and is contingent upon receiving year two’s funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The funds shall be disbursed to the City in two tranches: one half was disbursed in the summer of 2023 and the remaining half has been or will be received in the summer 2024.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor’s contract compliance 020995 is active and expires on 06/18/2026. EBO_WBE-020995 Expires 02/07/2025.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a planned modification of a contract with Designing Local Ltd in an amount up to $996,000.00 for the purpose of project management, community engagement, landscape architecture and facilitating the community in public discussion about the Reimagining Columbus project; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $996,000.00 from the Department of Development’s Mellon Foundation Grant budget; and to declare an emergency. ($996,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in June of 2023, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded the City a two-year, $2,000,000.00 grant through its Monuments Project; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development partnered with Designing Local Ltd to fulfill the requirements of the grant agreement; and
WHEREAS, the appropriation and expenditure in an amount up to $996,000.00 is necessary to continue the engagement of the community and generate discussions regarding the Reimagining Columbus project and is contingent upon receipt of year two’s funding; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to modify the service contract with Designing Local Ltd to assure the community engagement and discussions continue regarding the Reimagining Columbus Project and to complete the work during the term of the grant which ends 9/30/2025, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a planned modification of the contract with Designing Local Ltd in an amount up to $996,000.00 for the purpose of project management, community engagement, landscape architecture and facilitating the community in public discussion about the Reimagining Columbus project in accordance with the Monuments Project scope that was submitted as part of the grant application and award. This modification is contingent upon the receipt of the remaining funds from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as part of year two’s activities.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the appropriation and expenditure of $996,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized in fund 2291 (Private Grant Fund), Dept. 44-01 (Administration), in Object Class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance 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. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of any unencumbered balance required by the grantor is hereby authorized in accordance with the grant agreement.
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.