Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into contract with Abbas Consulting for professional and consulting services to assist the City of Columbus in becoming a Certified Welcoming City.
The Welcoming Standard is a comprehensive roadmap for communities to become more welcoming places. The Welcoming Standard sets criteria, or benchmarks, that local governments, community organizations, residents, and others can use to hold welcoming places accountable and spur innovation.
Strong communities intentionally connect and include people of all backgrounds. As places look to harness the wealth and vibrancy that comes from diverse talents and a global workforce, truly welcoming places can set themselves apart. There are seven framework areas of the Welcoming Standard that define truly welcoming places: Civic Engagement, Connected Communities, Economic Development, Education, Equitable Access, Government and Community Leadership, and Safe Communities.
As of 2023, 18 cities and counties across the U.S. have been Certified Welcoming Communities. Abbas Consulting will help to coordinate and prepare for the Welcoming America President’s visit to Columbus and meet with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and other City of Columbus departments when necessary, will take place in the form of bi-weekly meetings.
Emergency action is necessary to immediately begin the Welcoming City certification process.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into contract with Abbas Consulting for professional and consulting services to assist the City of Columbus in becoming a Certified Welcoming City; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Welcoming Standard is a comprehensive roadmap for communities to become more welcoming places; and
WHEREAS, there are seven framework areas of the Welcoming Standard that define truly welcoming places: Civic Engagement, Connected Communities, Economic Development, Education, Equitable Access, Government and Community Leadership, and Safe Communities; and
WHEREAS, as of 2023, 18 cities and counties across the U.S. have been Certified Welcoming Communities; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into this contract to avoid any delay in beginning the Welcoming City certification process; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Abbas Consulting for professional and consulting services to facilitate the Welcoming City certification for the City of Columbus.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $25,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; fund 1000, subfund 100018, in Services-03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized by Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $25,000.00 is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That the contract authorized by Section 1 of this ordinance is entered into pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes.
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 reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.