Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with Highland Youth Garden, Inc., a non-profit corporation, in support of its security efforts. This ordinance authorizes an upfront payment to Highland Youth Garden to support these efforts, as it does not currently have sufficient funds on-hand to await reimbursement for expenses incurred.
Highland Youth Garden involves youth and children in the process of sustainably growing significant amounts of fresh produce and distributing it to community members on the Hilltop. Recently, there has been an increase in criminal activity on the organization’s property that has interfered with normal operations for this important local non-profit. Council is proposing $10,000.00 in assistance to allow security services to monitor criminal activity, as well as to enhance staffing during work hours to increase safety for those working in the garden. Highland Youth Garden will measure outcomes following the intervention through reduction in illegal activity and decrease in hours shut down due to crime.
FISCAL IMPACT: $10,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested in order for Highland Youth Garden to immediately provide additional security services for the safety of residents and staff.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with Highland Youth Garden, Inc. in support of its security efforts; to authorize an expenditure of $10,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is need to provide assistance to those organizations that help residents in need; and
WHEREAS, Highland Youth Garden, Inc. involves youth and children in the process of sustainably growing significant amounts of fresh produce and distributing it to community members on the Hilltop; and
WHEREAS, Highland Youth Garden, Inc. is in need of additional security services to address crime issues on their property; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing support of $10,000.00 in support of these needs; and
WHEREAS, $10,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's Office in that it is necessary for the Clerk to enter into a contract immediately with Highland Youth Garden to fund additional security services on the organization's property to address current criminal activity that is interfering with normal operations for the safety of residents and staff, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; and now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with Highland Youth Garden, Inc. in support of its security efforts to address current criminal activity on the premises and to advance payment of grant funds per a predetermined schedule to be included in the grant agreement.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $10,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.