Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the repeal of ordinance 1960-2008 to remove Gambit Investment, LLC's proposed project from the Home Again Program (Housing Preservation Fund), cancels the auditor's certificate that was issued for that project, and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to modify the Home Again Program contract with The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County (AHT).
Ordinance 1960-2008, passed on December 15, 2008, authorized the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with Gambit Investments LLC to implement a component of the City's Home Again Initiative. The project was cancelled on March 26, 2009 and a development agreement was never executed. It is now necessary to repeal said ordinance and cancel the auditor's certificate to make available $60,000 from the Housing Preservation Fund that will be re-committed to the AHT. This legislation authorizes the expenditure of funds to increase the AHT Home Again Program contract and to extend it to October 16, 2011.
The Home Again Program addresses blight through the acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant houses to increase the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing as well as enhancing neighborhood revitalization activities. The program allows the AHT to selectively target acquisitions of vacant properties for redevelopment and to ensure maximum neighborhood revitalization potential. The Home Again Program also assists in building the capacity of neighborhood-based non-profit organizations.
Emergency action is requested so that the ordinance can be repealed and the auditor's certificate cancelled allowing the monies to be reallocated to the Affordable Housing Trust during this construction season.
FISCAL IMPACT: This cancellation of AC029353 will make available $60,000 to the City's Housing Preservation Fund that will be re-committed to the AHT. $60,000 will be expended from the City's Housing Preservation Fund for modifying the AHT agreement.
Title
To authorize the repeal of Ordinance 1960-2008, passed on December 15, 2008, to remove Gambit Investment, LLC's proposed project from the Home Again Program (Housing Preservation Fund); to authorize and direct the City Auditor to cancel the auditor certificate issued for that project; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to modify the Home Again Program contract with The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County; to authorize the expenditure of $60,000 from the Housing Preservation Fund; and to declare an emergency ($60,000)
Body
Whereas, ordinance 1960-2008, passed on December 15, 2008, authorized the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with Gambit Investments LLC to implement a component of the City's Home Again Initiative; and
Whereas, the project was cancelled on March 26, 2009 and a development agreement was never executed; and
Whereas, it is now necessary to repeal said ordinance and cancel the auditor's certificate to make available $60,000 from the Housing Preservation Fund that will be re-committed to the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County (AHT); and
Whereas, this legislation authorizes the expenditure of funds to modify and increase the AHT contract and for the Home Again Program; and
Whereas, the AHT will receive an additional $60,000; and
Whereas the Director of the Department of Development desires to modify Contract EL007413 with AHT by extending the contract to October 16, 2011; and
Whereas, the Home Again Program addresses blight through the acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant houses to increase the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing as well as to enhance neighborhood revitalization activities; and
Whereas, emergency action is requested so that the ordinance can be repealed and the auditor's certificate cancelled allowing the monies to be reallocated to the AHT during this construction season; and
Whereas, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to expend the aforementioned loan funds and extend the period of the contract, thereby preserving 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 Ordinance 1960-2008, passed on December 15, 2008, is hereby repealed to remove Gambit Investment, LLC's proposed project from the Home Again Program (Housing Preservation Fund).
Section 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to cancel auditor's certificate AC029353.
Section 3. That the Development Director is hereby authorized to modify the Home Again Program contract EL007413 with The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County by increasing the contract amount by $60,000 and extending the contract through October 16, 2011.
Section 4. That for the purposes stated in Sections 3 above, the expenditure of $60,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Housing Preservation Fund, Department of Development, Department No. 44-10, Fund 782, Object Level One 06, Object Level Three 6701, OCA Code 782001, Project 782001.
Section 5. 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.