Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to increase the existing universal term contracts with various contractors that provide emergency home repair services to low and moderate-income households in Columbus. These contracts are awarded as universal term contracts through the Purchasing Citywide bid process. The legislation authorizes the expenditure of $400,000 from the Housing Preservation Fund that was established to preserve the local supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for low-income families. These services are needed to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Columbus. Emergency repair services will include heating, plumbing, electrical and other emergency home repairs.
The Housing Preservation Fund represents the City's commitment to the preservation of housing units affordable to very-low, low and moderate-income individuals. Funds are used to meet the housing needs identified in the Consolidated Plan to correct substandard and deteriorating conditions of homes owned by low and moderate-income households. The fund provides eligible homeowners with assistance for home repairs critical to preserving the housing stock and enabling homeowners to remain in their homes.
Emergency action is necessary to allow for payment of projects currently underway at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding is from the Housing Preservation Fund - 2007 Capital Improvements Budget and is contingent on 2007 bond fund proceeds.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to increase the existing universal term contracts with various contractors to continue the provision of emergency home repair services to low and moderate-income households in Columbus; to authorize the expenditure of $400,000 from the Housing Preservation Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($400,000)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development, Housing Division desires to administer a Housing Preservation Fund from city bond proceeds; and
WHEREAS, these monies will be used to provide emergency repair services necessary to preserve the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, in order to carry out this responsibility, it is necessary to contract heating, plumbing, electrical and other emergency home repair services; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is necessary to allow for prompt payment of projects currently underway; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to expend said funds thereby preserving 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 Development is hereby authorized to increase the existing universal term contracts with the vendors listed below, in accordance with Columbus City Code, to continue to provide emergency home repair services to correct substandard and deteriorating conditions of homes owned by low and moderate- income households.
Absolute Air (Plumbing) FL003471
Absolute Air (Heating) FL003468
Ohio Mechanical FL003472
ABC Gas Repair FL003471
Ready Wire FL003473
Union Electric FL003469
All About Drains FL003479
Stairway Chairlift FL003470
Holt Mechanical FL002176
Section 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $400,000 from the Housing Preservation Fund or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Department of Development, Division 44-10, Fund 782, Project No. 782002, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 6617, OCA Code 782002.
Section 3. That expenditure of capital improvements budget funds from this authorization will be in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regulations 24 CFR Part 570.200-206, CDBG Eligibility, to ensure consistency of housing programs and income eligibility for housing rehabilitation programs as administered by the Housing Division.
Section 4. 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.