Explanation
This ordinance appropriates and transfers $250,000 within the General Permanent Improvements Fund and authorizes and directs the Director of Development to provide façade improvement grants under the Economic Development Division. The Façade Improvement Fund will provide dollars for small business façade improvements in Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization areas which include Franklinton, Hilltop, Main Street, Parsons Avenue, Long Street/Mount Vernon, Main Street and North/South Linden.
This incentive program aims to help small, independent businesses cover the cost of signage, awnings, and other basic exterior improvements. The grants can be used for exterior front façade renovation only and those improvements must be attached to the building. Projects may include one or several improvement elements such as signage, awnings, façade painting, window/door replacement and exterior lighting.
City Council deems this an appropriate use of the General Permanent Improvements Fund in its quest to continue to help small businesses throughout the city.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available for this transfer within the unallocated balance of the General Permanent Improvements Fund.
Title
To authorize the appropriation and transfer of $250,000.00 within the General Permanent Improvements Fund; to authorize and direct the Director of Development to provide façade improvement grants under the Economic Development Division; to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the General Permanent Improvements Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Façade Improvement Fund will provide dollars for small business façade improvements in Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization areas which include Franklinton, Hilltop, Main Street, Parsons Avenue, Long Street/Mount Vernon, Main Street and North/South Linden; and
WHEREAS, this incentive program aims to help small, independent businesses cover the cost of signage, awnings, and other basic exterior improvements; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance appropriates and transfers $250,000 within the General Permanent Improvements Fund and authorizes and directs the Director of Development to provide façade improvement grants under the Economic Development Division; and
WHEREAS, funds for the aforementioned application are available within the unallocated balance of the General Permanent Improvements Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to effect the appropriation, transfer and expenditure of said funds within the General Permanent Improvements Fund for the façade improvement grant program, all 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 $250,000.00 within the unallocated balance of the General Permanent Improvements Fund, 748, Dept. No 45-01, Project 748999, OCA 643114, OJL One 06.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $250,000 within the General Permanent Improvements Fund, Fund 748 as follows:
From:
Dept 45-01: Project 748999-100000: OCA 643114: OJL One 06: Amount $250,000.00
To:
Dept 44-01: Project 748411-100000: OCA 748411: OJL One 06; OJL Three 6639, Amount $250,000.00
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to provide façade improvement grants in Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization areas which include Franklinton, Hilltop, Main Street, Parsons Avenue, Long Street/Mount Vernon, Main Street and North/South Linden.
SECTION 4. For the purpose as stated in Section 3, the expenditure of $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed for the façade improvement grants, is hereby authorized from Dept/Div: 44-01, Fund 748, OCA 748411, Project 748411-100000, OJL One 06, OJL Three 6639.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make the necessary transfer between funds, and such funds are hereby appropriated, to carry out the purposes of this ordinance.
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.