Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into two (2) not-for-profit service contracts with LifeCare Alliance and Central Community House of Columbus for a combined total of $250,000.00 to administer the CHORES home repair program, on behalf of the City of Columbus and to authorize payment of expenses starting April 1, 2025.
LifeCare Alliance and Central Community House of Columbus are non-profit organizations that provides home repair services to low/moderate income and area median income residents. Residents eligible for the program will consist of elderly (over 60 years old) or disabled AND 80% Low Moderate Income (LMI). Eligible households include families/households earning 80% or less of the area median income (AMI) as determined annually by HUD with adjustments for smaller and larger families/households.
The not-for-profit firms will be responsible for general program administration, advertising, customer relations, applicant screening and qualification, project management, contractor oversight and reporting. Examples of responsibilities include, but are not limited to, intake, income qualification verification, and retention of licensed contractors to perform minor electrical, carpentry, plumbing, and masonry repairs.
The services included in this not-for-profit service contract cannot be provided by existing city employees as they are beyond the City’s current staffing capacity to provide.
The Department of Development advertised a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)/Request for Proposal (RFP) for the CHORES program from February 13, 2025, through March 7, 2025, on the City’s Vendor Services and Bonfire websites. The City received three (3) proposals. The proposals were evaluated and scored in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes. The Director of Development desires to enter into two (2) not-for-profit service contracts. Not For Profit Service Contract for LifeCare Alliance will serve Columbus families in the amount of $160,000.00 and Central Community House of Columbus not-for-profit Service Contract in the amount of $90,000.00.
FISCAL IMPACT: $250,000.000 is available in the Department of Development’s 2025 General Fund budget, but will require a transfer between divisions.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE:
LifeCare Alliance, CC#006078; expires 10/25/2025
Central Community House of Columbus, CC#006068, expires 1/9/2026
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into not-for-profit service contracts with LifeCare Alliance in an amount up to $160,000.00 and Central Community House of Columbus in an amount up to $90,000.00 for the purpose of assisting the Department of Development to administer home repair program services; to authorize the transfer and expenditure of up to $250,000.00 from the from the 2025 General Fund budget; and to authorize payment of expenses prior to the execution of a purchase order, starting April 1, 2025. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is a participating jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus requires home repair program services; and
WHEREAS, the department advertised a request for proposal/notice for financial award for the for the CHORES 2025 program. Three proposals were received and the evaluation committee found LifeCare Alliance and Central Community House of Columbus are able to perform the work; and
WHEREAS, the services included in this not-for-profit service contract cannot be provided by existing city employees as they are beyond the City’s current staffing capacity to provide; and
WHEREAS, that the transfer and expenditure of up to $250,000.00 from the Department of Development’s 2025 General Fund budget is authorized; and
WHEREAS, to authorize payments for services starting April 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a not-for-profit contracts with LifeCare Alliance and Central Community House of Columbus to provide administrative services for the CHORES home repair program services; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with LifeCare Alliance, a not-for-profit corporation, in an amount up to $160,000.00 for the purpose of assisting the Department of Development to administer home repair program services and authorizing expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order, starting April 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with Central Community House of Columbus, a not-for-profit corporation, in an amount up to $90,000.00 for the purpose of assisting the Department of Development to administer home repair program services and authorizing expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order, starting April 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development), Object class 03 (Services) to Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing Division), Object Class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing Division), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That these contracts are awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.