Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement with the Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation (AALF), a non-profit organization, in an amount up to $595,000.00 to renovate the Sawyer Recreation Center, formerly known as the Neighborhood House. Advancing funding per a pre-determined schedule is requested.
Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation (AALF) is a non-profit organization, started in 2023, is dedicated to empowering communities through education, workforce development and economic revitalization. AALF aims to provide access to critical resources, foster entrepreneurial growth, athletic development, financial literacy, and support local initiatives that drive long-term sustainability. The mission is integral to positive transformation creating opportunities that uplift individuals and families.
AALF recently purchased the Sawyer Recreation Center for the purpose of restoring and rehabbing the facility to a functional purpose that can be used by the population on the east side as well as the Columbus community. The restored 52,500 square feet facility will yield a facility that can be used for community events, job creation and economic development Specific plans for the rehabbed facility include an event space, athletic training facility, basketball court, medical/retail office space, and a functional commercial kitchen.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency exits in that it is immediately necessary to begin to rehab the facility to accommodate continued services and new tenants.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds in the amount of $595,000.00 are available for this project in the Development Taxable Bonds Fund 7739 within the Department of Development.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 051530 and contract compliance expires on 01/24/2027.
Title
To amend the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Development Taxable Bonds Fund; to authorize the Director of Development to enter a grant agreement in an amount up to $595,000.00 with the Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation to renovate the Sawyer Recreation Center, formerly known as the Neighborhood House; to authorize the expenditure of $595,000.00 within the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize advancement of payment on a predetermined schedule; and to declare an emergency. ($595,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation (AALF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering communities through education, workforce development and economic revitalization. AALF aims to provide access to critical resources, foster entrepreneurial growth, athletic development, financial literacy, and support local initiatives that drive long-term sustainability; and
WHEREAS, AALF recently purchased the Sawyer Recreation Center for the purpose of restoring and rehabbing the facility to a functional purpose that can be used by the population on the east side as well as the Columbus community; and
WHEREAS, the restored 52,500 square feet facility will yield a facility that can be used for community events, job creation and economic development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus would like to continue to provide support in the redevelopment of the east side of Columbus, in an amount up to $595,000.00 by supporting the renovation of the Sawyer Recreation Center; and
WHEREAS, advanced funding will be authorized per a predetermined schedule included in the agreement; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget and a transfer of cash within the Development Taxable Bonds Fund for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure within the Development Taxable Bond Fund in an amount up to $595,000.00; 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 enter into a grant agreement with Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation (AALF) in support of the renovation of the Sawyer Recreation Center; 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 grant agreement, in an amount up to $595,000.00 with the Abraham Alemayoh Legacy Foundation to renovate the Sawyer Recreation Center. Funding will be advanced per a pre-determined schedule to be included in the agreement.
SECTION 2. That the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 1907-2024 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /Amended
7739 / P440104-100024 / Strategic Acquisition Fund (Unvoted Carryover) /$877,755.00 / ($595,000.00) / $282,755.00
7739 / P782053-100000 / Sawyer Recreation Center Renovation (Unvoted Carryover) / $0 / $595,000.00 / $595,000.00
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $595,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 7739 Development Taxable Bonds per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. The expenditure of $595,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bonds Fund), in Dept-Div 4402 (Economic Development), Project P782053-100000 (Sawyer Recreation Center Renovation), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and 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 the same.