Explanation
Background:
Ordinance 2213-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on September 8, 2025, authorized the expenditure from the Department of Neighborhoods General Fund 1000, to enter into a grant agreement with the Young Men’s Christian Association of Central Ohio (YMCA) for the purposes of administering a Nontraditional Education Learning Center (NELC) for students at West High School. The purpose of the NELC is to establish an offsite program that provides an alternative for West High School students that are facing suspension or are at risk of falling behind in school.
This ordinance is needed to modify the grant agreement and extend the grant with the YMCA through December 31, 2026. This grant agreement was intended to fund the full 2025 - 2026 school year. Due to unanticipated delays, the program did not start until mid-way through the school year, on January 1, 2026. This extension will provide the additional time needed for the full amount of funds granted to be expended, while supporting the continuation of this program.
This program directly supports action steps 6.2 - Increase 4-year high school graduation rate and 6.3 - Reduce High school dropouts, of the Envision Hilltop Community Plan.
Fiscal Impact: No additional funding is required to modify this contract.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to extend an existing grant agreement with the Young Men’s Christian Association of Central Ohio (YMCA) through December 31, 2026. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the mission of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Central Ohio (YMCA) is aligned with the goals of the Envision Hilltop Plan; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of the Nontraditional Education Learning Center seeks to increase the graduation rate and decrease the dropout rate of students at West High School; and
WHEREAS, the current grant agreement ends September 30, 2026; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to extend the current grant agreement with the Young Men’s Christian Association of Central Ohio (YMCA) through December 31, 2026 to provide additional time for the grantee to administer the program; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods is hereby authorized to modify and extend grant agreement with the Young Men’s Christian Association of Central Ohio (YMCA) to December 31, 2026.
SECTION 2. 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 3. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.