Explanation
Background: As part of the Consent Order and Settlement Agreement between the City of Columbus and Penn National Gaming, Inc., the parties agreed to create the Westside Community Fund. Both the City of Columbus and Penn National Gaming agreed to contribute $2.5 million to the Westside Community Fund, with the first payment of $1 million made in 2012. Additional contributions of $750,000 were made by each party in 2013. The parties further agreed to each contribute $500,000 in 2014 and $250,000 in 2015.
The Westside Community Fund is used for a variety of projects related to the neighborhood(s) immediately surrounding the casino development and/or the citizens thereof, including but not limited to job training, minority affairs, economic development and/or capital projects.
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $150,000 from the Westside Community Fund for support of The Salvation Army’s Hilltop Worship & Community Center. This funding will be used to support capital improvements to the Westside Center in order to better serve the clients of The Salvation Army. This center serves the residents of the Westside by providing programs focused on seniors, after school learning, fresh food distribution, and a drop-in center for victims of human trafficking.
Emergency action is requested in order to facilitate the timely and continuing development of the Westside Community without interruption.
Fiscal Impact: Funds have been deposited into the Westside Community Fund from proceeds from the city’s allocation of State Casino Tax Revenues to support this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $150,000.00 in the Westside Community Fund; to authorize the Director of the Development Department to enter into contract with The Salvation Army; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the Westside Community Fund for support of The Salvation Army’s Hilltop Worship & Community Center; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2011, Columbus City Council passed Ordinance 0889-2011, which authorized the execution of the Consent Order and Settlement Agreement in the case of CD Gaming v. City of Columbus, et al; and
WHEREAS, as a part of that settlement, the City of Columbus and Penn National Gaming, Inc. agreed to create the Westside Community Fund; and
WHEREAS, each party agreed to contribute $2.5 million to the Westside Community Fund, with the first payment of $1 million to be made in 2012, and contributions of $750,000 in 2013, $500,000 in 2014 and $250,000 in 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Westside Community Fund will be used for a variety of projects related to the neighborhood(s) immediately surrounding the Casino development and/or the citizens thereof, including but not limited to job training, minority affairs, economic development and/or capital projects; and
WHEREAS, as part of this commitment, in 2017 each party has agreed to support The Salvation Army in the amount of $150,000 each; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation fo the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with the Salvation Army in order to facilitate the timely and continuing development of the Westside Community and the resulting creation and retention of jobs, such immediate action being necessary for the preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; 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 hereby authorized to enter into contract with The Salvation Army to provide support to capital improvements for the Hilltop Worship & Community Center.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated balance of the Westside Community Fund, Fund 2276, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purchase during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, the sum of $150,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby appropriated within Fund 2276, Westside Community Fund in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $150,000, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2276 Westside Community Fund in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That all monies 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 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modification associated with the expenditure of the funds authorized in Section 2 above.
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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after the passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.