Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the appropriation of Public Safety Initiatives fund monies to the Department of Development and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with St. Stephen's Community House to support an on-going public safety training program for residents of the Greater Linden area. The total amount of this contract is $20,000.00.
St. Stephen's Community House serves the residents of the Greater Linden area through programs and services such as employment, social development, community organization, education, childcare and healthcare.
This ordinance is an emergency to expedite payment to the community agency to continue its safety training and education efforts.
St. Stephens is a 501 C(3) non-profit organization.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Public Safety Initiatives fund is the funding source for this program.
Title
To authorize and direct the appropriation of $20,000.00 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund to the Department of Development; to authorize and direct the Director of Development to enter into an agreement with St. Stephens Community House to support on-going safety training for area residents; to authorize the expenditure of $20,000.00 from the Public Safety Initiatives Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, City Council amended the 2007 City budget to set aside funds to address specific neighborhood initiatives designed to improve community safety through collaborations; and
WHEREAS, strong crime prevention initiatives can provide a heightened sense of community well being and will enhance Greater Linden's attractiveness to businesses and current and prospective residents alike; and
WHEREAS, the St. Stephen's Community House is working to improve the quality of life in the Greater Linden area with programs designed to facilitate community coalition building and development of shared responsibility for community enhancement, including implementation of a community re-entry program to assist ex-offenders, creation of a volunteer bank, mentoring employment opportunities for youth, programs to engage seniors, promotion of blockwatches, workshops to disseminate community information, and advisory services for neighborhood residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, these projects seek to establish partnerships that are not only geared toward crime and safety, but that also enhance economic and neighborhood development; and
WHEREAS, because of the wide-ranging impacts of these programs, including public safety concerns, Council deems it an appropriate use of a portion of the Public Safety Initiatives Fund to support St. Stephen's efforts in the area; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City, in that it is immediately necessary to support the efforts of St. Stephen's Community House in the Greater Linden area for the immediate preservation of 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 City Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate $20,000.00 within the Public Safety Initiatives Fund, 016, to the Department of Development, Neighborhood Services Division, Department 44-05, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440516.
Section 2. That the Development Director be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into agreement with St. Stephen's Community House to support on-going safety training for area residents.
Section 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 2, the sum of $20,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Development Department, Neighborhood Services Division, Division 44-05, Public Safety Initiatives Fund, Fund 016, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440516.
Section 4. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, as amended.
Section 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared 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.