Explanation
Background
This ordinance authorizes an appropriation and for the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into grant agreements with community organizations in support of new American Integration Seed Grants programming. Community and civic organizations were eligible to apply for funding to create educational, empowerment and integration opportunities for new American residents. Funded programs will support English as second language classes, skill building training, workforce training, and integration. Food and/or beverage purchases will be subject to what is allowable in the respective grant agreements. Costs will not exceed $15 per person and any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited. These grants will necessitate advance payment.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to prevent any delay in the provision of services to support new American residents.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the General Fund 1000 Subfund 10010.
Contract Compliance:
Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio CC019703 thru 10/12/2024
Advanced Technology Education - CC045527 thru 5/30/2025
US Together Inc - CC010453 thru 4/28/2025
Our Helpers - CC008601 thru 3/23/2025
Forest Park Civic Association - CC030503 compliance pending
Muslim Family Services of Ohio - CC028134 compliant 028453
I.H.C.R.C. - CC023521 compliance pending
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into grant agreements in support of the 2024 New American Integration Seed Grants; to authorize the expenditure from the General Fund; to authorize the expenditure of funds for reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage costs; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The New American integration seed grants programming is part of Department Neighborhoods commitment to addressing emerging needs, creating access for new Americans residents to strengthen community based organizations to effectively serve new arrivals and foster community building for all; and
WHEREAS, The seed grants will fund seven community based programs with a capacity to work throughout the City including various programming that enhance quality of life of new American residents; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into contractual service agreements to avoid causing the delay of program services, 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 Neighborhoods is authorized to enter into non-profit grant agreements effective September 9, 2024 with the agencies below to support new Americans in Columbus including the purchase of food and/or beverages items, which serve the public for the purpose of administering the New American Integration Seed Grants:
Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio $9,000.00
Advanced Technology Education $9,000.00
US Together, Inc $9,000.00
Our Helpers $8,000.00
Forest Park Civic Association $5,000.00
Muslim Family Services of Ohio $5,000.00
I.H.C.R.C. $5,000.00
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is authorized in Fund 1000, Subfund 100010 Dept-Div 48-01, in Object Class 05 - Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the use of said expenditures may be put toward reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses, not to exceed $15.00 per person, and that City Council hereby finds such food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses to be for a proper public purpose. No part of the expenditures may be used toward alcohol expenses.
SECTION 4. 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 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.