Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter grant agreements with various non-profit entities for their aging-in-place village programs. The entities are: (1) At Home by High; (2) Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center dba Village in the Ville; (3) Central Community House of Columbus dba Village Central; and (4) Village Connections. The grant agreement for each not-for-profit entity will be for $12,500.00. This funding will be provided upfront to defray the cost of operations for each recipient. Spending may include the purchase of groceries and meal preparation/delivery services to combat food insecurity, for which Council deems this expenditure to be serving a public purpose; funding may also be spent on other types of programming and operating costs.
Each of these programs utilizes a member-driven, self-governing, grassroots model focused on developing a mutually supportive network for successful and healthy aging-in-community. The programs serve neighbors aged 50 and older. As the older adult population grows, there is a need for innovative approaches to service delivery. The Village Movement approach to aging is successful not only to ensure that older adults are able to age in their homes, but also in community. Older adults participating in these programs experience a more connected way of life, whether they are a recipient of services, a provider, or both. In order to generate a strong sense of community, the programs engage members in creating and coordinating the activities of the Village. Members have the opportunity to coordinate and attend social outings, volunteer for the Village organization or for other Village members, and act as advocates for other older adults.
Villages are well positioned to improve the health of the communities they serve. In the United Kingdom and the United States, roughly one in three people older than 65 live alone, and in the United States, half of those older than 85 live alone. Studies in both countries show the prevalence of loneliness among people older than 60 ranging from 10% to 46%. Village members consistently report a positive impact on their wellbeing and quality of life as a direct result of their participation in their Village.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this ordinance ($50,000.00) is available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018.
REASON FOR EMERGENCY: The purpose of this ordinance is to provide upfront funding to these four organizations in support of their shared mission. Due to current economic conditions and the growing needs of Columbus' aging seniors, it is necessary to ensure that each entity receives this financial support from Council as soon as practicable.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Clerk to enter grant agreements with At Home by High, Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center dba Village in the Ville, Central Community House of Columbus dba Village Central, and Village Connections in support of their age-in-place village programs; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, as the older adult population grows there is a need for innovative approaches to service delivery; and
WHEREAS, the Villages program utilizes a member-driven, strengths-based model focused on developing a mutually supportive network for successful and healthy aging-in-community; and
WHEREAS, program participants consistently report a positive impact on their wellbeing and quality of life as a direct result of their participation in their Village; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to authorize these agreements to ensure the timely support of aging-in-place communities 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 City Clerk is authorized to enter into grant agreements with the four (4) not-for-profit entities At Home by High, Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center dba Village in the Ville, Central Community House of Columbus dba Village Central, and Village Connections to provide upfront financial support for their various programs to help older adults age in place safely, healthfully, and in community with one another.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $50,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to the City Clerk per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance. Any and all of said funding may be used for the purchase of groceries and/or meal preparation/delivery services to combat food insecurity, for which Council deems this expenditure to be serving a proper public purpose.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and that the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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.