Explanation
This ordinance will authorize the Columbus Department of Public Safety to enter into contract with Community for New Direction (CND) for the amount of $329,500.00 in order to provide violence interruption and crisis response activities that include responding to specific violent confrontations, working to mediate and diffuse conflict tensions, and actively promoting peace building among our youth. Contractor shall maintain a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week schedule to respond to calls regarding youth violence confrontations such as shootings, aggravated assaults, homicides, and other violent incidents.
Background: The Contractor shall respond to incidents or conflicts that within their assigned zone(s) or may impact their assigned zone(s). The Contractor shall also provide support services to victims' families and friends. Support services will be provided after making initial contact with victims’ families and friends at the scene of an incident, hospital or at a time and location chosen by the victims’ families and friends. Support services can also include Contractor attending funerals, vigils, peace marches, etc. Additionally, Community Intervention Workers shall participate in Neighborhood Violence Interruption (NVI) activities and initiatives focusing on reducing youth violence citywide and improving community collaborations to support the NVI initiative. Community for New Direction will hold a surety bond in the amount of $100,000.00 and Certificate of Insurance as required by the City.
Principal Parties:
John Dawson, CEO
Community for New Direction
2323 W. 5th Avenue Suite 160
Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 272.1464
Contractor Federal ID #: 31-1430278
Areas Affected: The primary focus areas of Community for New Direction will be west and north zones.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order for the Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program to continue without interruption.
Bid Waiver Justification: A bid waiver is being requested in order to keep the consistency with the program participants and the vendor (interventionists). They have been working with the NVI program for several years; they know the program participants, the youth and young adults in the community and have established relationships with them. It is important to keep the continuity of these relationships and trust. A new vendor would have to come in and start from the very beginning to obtain this knowledge, understanding, and trust.
Fiscal Impact: The amount $329,500.00 has been transferred for this project from the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund 2285 to the General Fund to properly align the expenditure with the Department of Public Safety, who will be managing the contract with Community for New Direction. Accordingly, this ordinance is contingent on the passage of Ordinance 0250-2022.
Benefits to the Public: Providing violence intervention and prevention strategies with a primary focus on 14-23 year-olds.
Community Input/Issues: Addressing need for increased positive youth engagement, development and mentorship to combat youth involved violence.
Master Plan Relation: Implementing strategies to vulnerable residents in targeted neighborhoods to ensure equal access to critical resources and opportunities for success for all.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into contract with Community for New Direction for services related to the implementation of the 2022 Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program; to authorize the expenditure of $329,500.00 from the General Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($329,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into contract with Community for New Direction for services related to the Neighborhood Violence Intervention (NVI) Program; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Department of Public Safety to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code because this vendor has intrinsic knowledge and understanding of the NVI program and its evolution providing continuity of service; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon the passage of Ordinance 0250-2022 by Council; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $329,500.00 from the General Fund 1000-100010; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Community for New Direction so that the Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program can continue without interruption; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Safety is authorized to enter into contract with Community for New Direction for services related to the Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program.
SECTION 2. That this Council finds it in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 to enter into this contract.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $329,500.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund 1000-100010 in object class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. This ordinance is contingent upon passage of Ordinance 0250-2022 by Council.
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 legislation.
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 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.