Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Engage GPC in support of their IGNITE Summer Camp youth development program.
IGNITE Summer Camp is a youth development program designed to empower children and teens through community awareness, service-learning, leadership development, academic enrichment, and mentorship. The program primarily serves youth ages 5-15 from underserved and underrepresented communities throughout Central Ohio. Through hands-on experiences, civic engagement projects, and leadership training, participants gain the skills and confidence needed to become positive contributors to their schools and neighborhoods. Funding will support program staffing, educational materials, transportation, meals, field experiences, and service projects, ensuring that all youth can participate regardless of financial barriers
Since the organization lacks the funding necessary to operate the program fully on a reimbursement basis, funds will be advanced to Engage GPC in support of their IGNITE Summer Camp youth development program. A portion of the funds will allow for reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses that support the program. Additionally, this ordinance authorizes a reimbursement to Engage GPC for expenses incurred from 6/8/2026 to the present and associated with the execution of the IGNITE camp. Only eligible expenses shall be reimbursed.
Fiscal Impact: Funding ($20,000.00) is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested in order to ensure a timely issuance of grant funds in support of the program, as the camp began on June 8, 2026.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advanced payment grant agreement with Engage GPC in support of their IGNITE Summer Camp youth development program; to authorize the reimbursement of qualifying expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order; to authorize an expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the expenditure of funds for the payment of food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses incurred after the date of the passage of this ordinance; and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Engage GPC is a non-profit organization operating the IGNITE Summer Camp, which promotes community awareness, service-learning, leadership development, and academic enrichment for youth; and
WHEREAS, this grant will provide support for Engage GPC’s IGNITE Summer Camp youth development program, primarily for youth in underserved neighborhoods;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Engage GPC in support of their IGNITE Summer Camp youth development program, to ensure the timely issuance of grant funds in support of the program as the camp began on June 8, 2026, 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 City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an advanced payment grant agreement with Engage GPC in support of their IGNITE Summer Camp youth development program, in the amount of $20,000.00, and to authorize the reimbursement of qualifying non-food and non-beverage expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order, beginning on June 8, 2026.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $20,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance, and that any and all of said expenditure may be used toward the payment of reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses; provided, however, that no food and beverage expenses may be paid until and after the date of the passage of this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That funds shall be paid in advance to Engage GPC in order for the organization to have the resources necessary for continuation of the program.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. 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 legislation.
SECTION 6. That the distribution of food and beverages associated with the execution of this grant agreement are deemed to be for a proper public purpose.
SECTION 7. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.