Explanation
BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to modify a contract with LifeCare Alliance an amount up to $50,000.00 to administer the CHORES home repair program on behalf of the City of Columbus.
Original Contract $160,000.00 Ord. 1012-2025 PO515318
Modification No. 4 amount $ 50,000.00
Total contract amount $210,000.00
LifeCare Alliance is a non-profit organization 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.
LifeCare Alliance is 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 proposals were evaluated and scored in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes and a contract was awarded to LifeCare Alliance.
In accordance with C.C. 329.09(a):
1. The amount of additional funding to be expended under this modification is $50,000.00.
2. The need for additional services was unforeseen at the time the initial contract was awarded as unparalleled funding shortfalls have been felt across the community; legislative modification is required by operation of C.C. 329.09(b).
3. It is in the City’s best interest to continue with LifeCare Alliance’s current contract to provide home repair services as part of the Division of Housing’s CHORES home repair program, as to not interrupt current services.
4. Pricing and terms will remain the same as the original contract.
Emergency action is requested to continue performing needed repairs for residents as quickly as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available in the Department’s Business Tax Incentive fund.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: LifeCare Alliance, vendor number 006078 and contract compliance expires 9/25/27.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to modify a contract with LifeCare Alliance an amount up to $50,000.00 to administer the CHORES home repair program on behalf of the City of Columbus; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $50,000.00 from the Housing Business Tax Incentive fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, LifeCare Alliance currently administers the CHORES home repair program on behalf of the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development advertised a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)/Request for Proposal (RFP) for the CHORES program earlier in the year and LifeCare Alliance was one of two contracts awarded; and
WHEREAS, since the time the initial contract was awarded, unparalleled funding shortfalls have been felt across the community; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development seeks to modify the contract with LifeCare Alliance an amount up to $50,000.00 to provide additional support for the CHORES program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $50,000.00 from the Housing Business Tax Incentive 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 of Development to modify a contract with LifeCare Alliance to continue program repairs for elderly and disabled residents, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Development be and is hereby authorized to modify a contract, in an amount up to $50,000.00 with LifeCare Alliance to administer the CHORES home repair program.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the sum of $50,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 2229 (Housing Business Tax Fund), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), in object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 2229 (Housing Business Tax Fund), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That these contracts are awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.