Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Department of Public Safety to contribute $329,500.00 to The Columbus Urban League, a non-profit corporation, for the purpose of administering the Strive Toward Empowerment & Potential (STEP) Program. STEP is a resource for youths and their parents. It supports education enrichment, health and wellness, public speaking, job skill development, conflict resolution, and personal and family development education to promote healthy adolescent, familial, and communal relationships and reduce justice involvement. The Columbus Urban League seeks to create familial and community environments where children can build lives that are full of possibility and that they are happy in and proud of. Program Impact: 70 percent of participants have graduated since the pilot year; 226 total youth have been engaged; and 113 Parents have been connected with programming.
In partnership with the City of Columbus & Franklin County Municipal Courts, The Columbus Urban League (CUL) provides STEP classes and resources to families with children on the cusp of entering the justice system. The families joining the STEP program receive a Family Coach from CUL, who helps identify holistic resources for the parents. This provides equitable skills to foster healthy relationships between the parent and the child to deter all parties from further involvement with the court system.
The STEP program, spanning eight weeks, serves as a dynamic platform for youth engagement and empowerment. During this period, various activities and initiatives are implemented to foster personal growth, community involvement, and a sense of responsibility among participants. Key components of the program include: Guest speakers; experiential learning opportunities; community vision boards; community engagement; addressing real world challenges; and safety and positive environment. Referrals come from the community (most common), Columbus City Schools, local charter schools, and the juvenile court system.
This ordinance also authorizes the transfer of funds between object classes within the Department of Public Safety's 2024 General Fund Budget to align budget authority for this expenditure.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so that the necessary funds can be provided to The Columbus Urban League to allow them to begin the next cohort of this program as soon as possible.
Fiscal Impact: $329,500.00 is available within the Department of Public Safety's 2024 General Fund Budget for this purpose. Funds will be transferred between object classes within the General Fund. There is sufficient budget authority available in the Department of Public Safety's 2024 General Fund Budget to fund the transfer.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Urban League in support of the Strive Toward Empowerment & Potential (STEP) Program; to authorize the expenditure of $329,500.00 from the General Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer $329,500.00 between object classes within the General Fund to align budget authority for this expenditure; and to declare an emergency. ($329,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Urban League for the purpose of administering the Strive Toward Empowerment & Potential (STEP) Program; and
WHEREAS, an expenditure of funding is necessary to provide support to this important program which promotes public safety and wellbeing by helping participants avoid further involvement with the court system; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety has a need to transfer $329,500.00 between object classes within the 2024 General Fund Budget. Funds for this transfer have been identified and are available in Object Class 01 (Personnel); and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Urban League so that immediate steps can be taken to begin the next cohort of the Strive Toward Empowerment & Potential (STEP) Program, 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 Director of the Department of Public Safety is authorized to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Urban League for an amount up to $329,500.00, in support of the Strive Toward Empowerment & Potential (STEP) Program.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $329,500.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between object classes within Fund 1000 General Fund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purposes stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $329,500.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the General Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 and to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City's financial records.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such account codes as necessary.
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 passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.