Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into grant agreements with various social service agencies for the provision of services for a twelve-month period that begins on or after January 1, 2019. The total amount of these grants is $4,464,907.
To support the City’s vision for economic security and resilience for all, the City conducted a competitive funding process through its Human Services Grant Program pursuant to Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 and the City shall enter into grant agreements with the social service agencies under the authority of Columbus City Codes, 1959 Section 329.29 and 329.30. The request for proposals (RFP) was issued via direct email to agencies and to partners to send to their networks of agencies, press release, and on the City’s website. A grant information session open to all interested parties was conducted on November 27, 2018, in the 2nd floor Hearing Room of 111 N. Front St.
The City received 142 proposals representing 101 agencies with over $19 million in requests. A committee of twenty-two individuals representing the City, County, Ohio State, Columbus Foundation, and the community evaluated the proposals based on the focus of Economic Security and Resilience and the 20 Review Criteria given in the RFP. Forty-four programs were selected for funding. The awards are given with an anticipated renewal in FY2020 pending availability of funds and program performance per agreements with each agency. These programs and initiatives will provide services to residents of Columbus within one or more of the City’s Five Investment Strategies:
• Income through Employment
• Job Quality
• Education and Training
• Financial Capability
• Stabilization and Resource Support
Emergency action is necessary to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for these expenditures is allocated from the Emergency Human Services Fund (Fund 2231) $2,351,000 and the general fund $2,113,907 (Fund 1000).
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to execute grant agreements with various social service agencies to address and provide for multiple human service needs; to authorize the expenditure of $2,351,000.00 from the Emergency Human Services Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $2,113,907.00 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($4,464,907.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City received 142 proposals representing 101 agencies with over $19 million in requests; and
WHEREAS, a committee of 22 individuals representing the City, County, Ohio State, Columbus Foundation, and the community, evaluated the proposals based on the focus of Economic Security and Resilience and the 20 review criteria given in the RFP; and
WHEREAS, 44 programs were selected for funding; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into 12 month grant agreements that will begin on or after January 1, 2019, with various social service agencies for the continued provision of social services; and
WHEREAS, the grants will be funded with a combination of Emergency Human Services Funds and the general fund; and
WHEREAS, these programs include, but are not limited to, youth services, resettlement programs, housing referral, intervention activities, information and referral efforts, community mediation, resource centers and neighborhood activities; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into grant agreements with various social service agencies to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of vital program services, all for the 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 grant applications of those agencies identified in the attachment referenced in Section 2 seeking financial assistance to address an emergency human service need are hereby awarded pursuant to Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes, and the Department of Development shall enter into grant agreements with those social service agencies under the authority of Columbus City Codes Sections 329.29 and 329.30.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into grant agreements with various agencies for a twelve (12) month period that begins on or after January 1, 2019, and up to the amount indicated in the attached table:
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $2,351,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized in Fund 2231 (Hotel Motel Bed Tax Fund), Dept. 44-01 (Administration), in Object Class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. Payments are expressly contingent upon the availability of sufficient monies in the Emergency Human Services Fund to cover the obligation set forth in this contract and in no case shall payments exceed available cash in this fund. In this event that there is not sufficient cash in the fund to cover the obligation set forth in this contract, the City Auditor shall have the authority to make all necessary adjustments at her discretion.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $2,112,907 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 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 8. 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.