Explanation
This ordinance will authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into a one-year contract with The Columbus Urban League (CUL) for the amount of $725,000.00 to provide violence interruption and crisis response activities that include responding to specific violent confrontations, working to mediate and diffuse conflict tensions, and actively promoting peace building among our youth. Contractor shall maintain a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week schedule to respond to calls regarding youth violence confrontations such as shootings, aggravated assaults, homicides, and other violent incidents.
The Contractor shall respond to incidents or conflicts that are within their assigned zone(s) or may impact their assigned zone(s). The Contractor shall also provide support services to victims' families and friends. Support services will be provided after making initial contact with victims’ families and friends at the scene of an incident, hospital or at a time and location chosen by the victims’ families and friends. Support services can also include Contractor attending funerals, vigils, peace marches, etc. Additionally, Community Intervention Workers shall participate in Neighborhood Violence Interruption (NVI) activities and initiatives focusing on reducing youth violence citywide and improving community collaborations to support the NVI initiative. The Columbus Urban League will hold a surety bond in the amount of $100,000.00 and Certificate of Insurance as required by the City.
The Columbus Urban League
Contractor Compliance Number: 006073
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: June 9, 2025
Areas Affected: The primary focus areas of The Columbus Urban League will be east and south zones.
Bid Waiver Justification: A bid waiver is being requested in order to keep the consistency with the program participants and the vendor (interventionists). They have been working with the NVI program for several years; they know the program participants, the youth and young adults in the community and have established relationships with them. It is important to keep the continuity of these relationships and trust. A new vendor would have to come in and start from the very beginning to obtain this knowledge, understanding, and trust.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is being requested so that the contract can be entered into as soon as possible to prevent a lapse in violence interruption services being provided to communities in need.
Fiscal Impact:
The amount of $725,000.00 is budgeted for this purpose in the 2025 General Fund operating budget.
Benefits to the Public: Providing violence intervention and prevention strategies with a primary focus on 14-23 year-olds.
Community Input/Issues: Addressing need for increased positive youth engagement, development and mentorship to combat youth involved violence.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into contract with The Columbus Urban League for services related to the implementation of the 2025 Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program; to authorize the expenditure of $725,000.00 from General Fund; and to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($725,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into a contract with the Columbus Urban League for services related to the Neighborhood Violence Intervention (NVI) Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $725,000.00 from the General Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Office of Violence Prevention to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes because this vendor has intrinsic knowledge and understanding of the NVI program and its evolution providing continuity of service; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Violence Prevention in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into a contract with the Columbus Urban League for services related to the Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program, to ensure these needed services continue, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention is authorized to enter into a one-year contract with The Columbus Urban League for services related to the Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program in an amount not to exceed $725,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $725,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Sections 1, is hereby authorized from the General Fund 1000, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this Council finds it in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Codes Section 329.15 to enter into this contract and does hereby waive said competitive bidding provisions.
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 legislation.
SECTION 5. 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 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.