Explanation
Background:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter an advance-pay grant agreement with Directions for Youth and Families (DFYF) in support of the Crittenton Community Center After-School Program and Eastland for Everyone Plan implementation. This ordinance authorizes an expenditure from the General Fund. Grant funding for programming including the purchase of food and/or beverage items, which serve the public for the purpose of administering the after-school programming. Food and/or beverage purchases shall not exceed the cost per person per diem rate established by the Department of Finance and Management. Costs will not exceed $15 per person and any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
DFYF is a resiliency-oriented and trauma-informed agency, whose mission is to build and inspire hope, healing, and resilience for youth, families, and communities in Central Ohio through counseling and education. They employ licensed counselors and qualified mental health specialists who provide treatment and prevention services to over 8000 youth and their families annually, including school-based clinical counseling and prevention services, community-based clinical counseling, after-school and summer youth programs, early childhood education, and service-learning programming.
DFYF’s Crittenton Community Center provides youth ages 8-17 with positive and stimulating educational and recreational afterschool/summer programming in the Eastland area. Programming aligns with the Eastland for Everyone Plan’s Youth & Education and Community Well-being & Services Big Ideas. Youth & Education Objectives A.1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 9; Objective B. 2, 3, and 4; and Objective C. 1 and 3 are accomplished through currently provided programming which includes academic assistance and homework help, free transportation to and from our centers, priority referrals to our clinical mental health services, providing opportunities for service learning and community volunteer hours, providing ‘Counselors in Training’ internships, tutoring stipends for high schoolers, and summer programming. After-school and summer programming also address Community Well-being & Services’ Objective A.2, 5, and 6; Objective B. 3; and Objective C. 5 through the Healthy Leaders and Community Garden activities.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of an amount up to $25,000.00 from the General Fund.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow for immediate execution of this agreement to avoid any delay in providing the resources necessary to support the community.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a advance-pay grant agreement with Directions for Youth and Families in support of the Crittenton Community Center After-School Program and Eastland for Everyone Plan implementation; to authorize the expenditure of funds on reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses for participants of programs not to exceed the per person per diem rate established by the Department of Finance and Management; to authorize the expenditures up to $25,000.00 from the Department of Neighborhoods General Fund; to authorize the payment of expenses incurred starting August 1, 2025 and prior to the execution of a purchase order; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Directions for Youth and Families is working in alignment with the Eastland for Everyone Plan’s Youth & Education and Community Well-being & Services Big Ideas; and
WHEREAS, Directions for Youth and Families will provide positive and stimulating educational and recreational after-school programming for youth in the Eastland area; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods in that it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into grant agreement with Directions for Youth & Families in order to ensure the funding can be made available for the 2025-2026 school year, all for the immediate preservation of 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 Neighborhoods is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Directions for Youth & Families and is authorized to advance funds per a schedule to be included in the agreement and that the payment of expenses incurred starting August 1, 2025 prior to the execution of a purchase order is hereby authorized.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of an amount up to $25,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized within the Department of Neighborhoods General Fund 1000, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance, and that the reimbursement of food and/or non-alcoholic beverage expenses, are hereby authorized, and declared a proper public purpose; provided, however, that expenses for food and non-alcoholic beverages shall not exceed the per diem rate established by the Department of Finance and Management.
SECTION 3. 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 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.