Explanation
BACKGROUND
This Ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board in an amount up to $125,000.00 to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the City of Columbus and Franklin County response for those facing homelessness and make recommendations to assure our community is positioned to effectively prevent and respond to homelessness over the next decade. Additionally, this assessment will identify mechanisms to assure permanent full funding for homeless shelters. This ordinance will also allow for payment of expenses incurred prior to the purchase order date and funding will be advanced.
The Community Shelter Board employs our local experts and was created by the City of Columbus, Franklin County, and local businesses owners to meet the needs of those facing homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County. Community Shelter Board (CSB) was founded on the idea that the strength of our community could be measured in how we care for the most vulnerable.
Community growth and the lived experience of people experiencing homelessness especially during the COVID-19 shut down has created the need to re-evaluate the structure and funding of the Community Shelter Board and services being provided to people experiencing homelessness.
This assessment, will provide a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the City of Columbus and Franklin County response for those facing homelessness and make recommendations to assure our community is positioned to effectively prevent and respond to homelessness over the next decade. In addition, identify mechanisms to assure permanent full funding for homeless shelters.
This project, funded with both public and private funds, is critical to achieving a comprehensive response for residents experiencing homelessness and those who could fall into this very difficult situation.
Emergency action is requested to allow continuation of the assessment without interruption, providing timely recommendations to prevent and assist residents experiencing homelessness.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available in the 2023 General Fund budget (1000), but will require a transfer from Object Class 03 to Object Class 05.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The contract compliance number for Community Shelter Board is 004795 and expires on 01/10/2024.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board (CSB) in an amount up to $125,000.00 to provide a comprehensive assessment and recommendations concerning the current state of the Columbus and Franklin County response for those facing homelessness; allow for payment of expenses incurred prior to the purchase order date; to authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule during the term of the agreement; to authorize the transfer and expenditure of $125,000.00 within the 2023 General Fund Budget; and to declare an emergency. ($125,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, community growth and the lived experience of people experiencing homelessness especially during COVID-19 shut down has created the need to re-evaluate the structure and funding of the Community Shelter Board and services being provided to people experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development requests to enter into a grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the Columbus and Franklin County response for those facing homelessness and make recommendations to assure our community is positioned to effectively prevent and respond to homelessness over the next decade; and
WHEREAS, this assessment will also identify mechanisms to assure permanent full funding for homeless shelters; and
WHEREAS, this project is being funded with both public and private funds is critical to achieving a comprehensive response for residents experiencing homelessness and those who could fall into this very difficult situation; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board to allow continuation of the assessment without interruption, providing timely recommendations to prevent and assist residents experiencing homelessness, such immediate action being necessary for the 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 Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board (CSB) in an amount up to $125,000.00 to provide a comprehensive assessment and recommendations concerning the current state of the Columbus and Franklin County response for those facing homelessness. This ordinance will also allow for payment of expenses incurred prior to the purchase order date and funding will be advanced.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $125,000.00.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), object class 03 (Services) to Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $125,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administrative Division), object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
SECTION 5. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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.
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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.