Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to modify the grant agreement (Modification No. 1) authorized by Ordinance No. 3115-2024 for Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers (Service!). Service! is a nonprofit corporation in Columbus, Ohio, dedicated to empowering hospitality workers to break the cycle of financial insecurity and create equity in the industry’s workforce through education, training, and economic relief. This legislation allows for the original authorized amount to be increased from $100,000.00 to $300,000.00, an increase of $200,000.00.
Original $ 100,000.00 Ord. 3115-2024 PO483934, Exp. 12/31/26
Mod No. 1 $ 200,000.00
Total $ 300,000.00
The grant authorized by this Ordinance No. 3115-2024 and the modification authorized by this legislation will allow the City of Columbus to support the work of this organization as it supports the hospitality industry and its workforce, which is vital for the growth and success of Columbus. Specifically, the funds authorized by this legislation will support construction at 145 N. Grant Ave., Columbus, OH 43215.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested to ensure that there is no lapse or delay in construction.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available in the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget, Development Taxable Bond Funds, with an amendment to establish sufficient budget authority for the project.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 043399 and contract compliance expires on 10/2/2026.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to modify a grant agreement with Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers in an amount up to $200,000.00; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to transfer funds within the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize the expenditure of up to $200,000.00 from the Development Taxable Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Service! is dedicated to empowering hospitality workers to break the cycle of financial insecurity and create equity in the industry’s workforce through education, training, and economic relief; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus desires to support the mission of Service!, including construction costs for their organization’s location; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Development to modify the grant agreement authorized by Ordinance No. 3115-2024 to increase the amount of the grant agreement; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to establish sufficient authority for this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer and expenditure of $200,000.00 from the Development Taxable Bond Fund; 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 modify this grant agreement with Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers to prevent a delay in the construction of the new facility, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; 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 modify the grant agreement with Service! Relief for Hospitality Workers authorized by Ordinance No. 3115-2024 by adding $200,000.00 of funding bringing the total grant amount to $300,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance No. 1790-2025 be and is hereby amended to provide sufficient budget authority for the expenditure as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / Amended
7739 / P782023-100000 / Critical Home Repair / $176,050.00 / ($176,000.00) / $50.00
7739 / P782024-100000 / Homeownership Development / $59,407.00 / ($24,000.00) / $35,407.00
7739 / P441803-100000 / Service! Facility / $0.00 / $200,000.00 / $200,000.00
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $200,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bond Fund), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $200,000.00 or so much thereto as may be necessary is hereby authorized in fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bond Fund), Project P441803-100000 (Service! Facility), Dept. 44-02 (Economic Development), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this grant agreement is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
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 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.