Explanation
Background: Ordinances 0629-2012 and 1467-2012 authorized the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contracts with various nonprofit organizations to provide maintenance and landscaping services for parcels owned by the Columbus Land Bank Program. This legislation will extend and increase contracts under this program, called the Community Land Care Program, and add a new organization. Services include trash pickup, lawn mowing, landscaping, lot monitoring, seeding, and community garden support. This legislation will continue the program for an additional year with five community based non-profit organizations.
Emergency action is requested to avoid interruptions in the delivery of vital program services.
Fiscal Impact: $150,000.00 has been allocated from the General Fund for this purpose.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to modify existing agreements or enter into new agreements with various non-profit organizations to provide maintenance and landscaping services for parcels owned by the Columbus Land Bank Program; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
Whereas, Council passed ordinance 2161-93, on October 25, 1993, as amended by 1325-98, on June 8, 1998, to authorize the adoption of a Land Reutilization Program under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5722; and
Whereas, Council passed ordinance 0629-2012, on March 28, 2012, as amended by 1467-2012, on July 11, 2012, to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into agreements with various nonprofit organizations to provide maintenance and landscaping services for properties owned by the Columbus Land Bank Program; and
Whereas, the City owns hundreds of vacant lots acquired under the Land Reutilization Program and desires to continue contracts with various community based non-profit corporations to maintain and improve the lots; and
Whereas, such maintenance cannot be performed by existing City Staff; and
Whereas, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to expend funds for the maintenance and improvement of existing City owned properties under the Land Reutilization Program to avoid interruptions in the delivery of these vital program services, all for the immediate 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 Director of the Department of Development, or designee, is authorized to modify and extend contracts with the Greater Linden Development Corporation, Franklinton Development Association, Central Community House, and Community Development for All People, and enter into a contract with Homes on the Hill Community Development Corporation to provide various maintenance services for properties held by the Columbus Land Reutilization Program.
Section 2. That the expenditure of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Department of Development, Division No. 44-01, General Fund, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3354, OCA Code 440180 for the aforesaid purpose is hereby authorized.
Section 3. That these contracts are awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
Section 4. 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 5. That for the reason 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 form and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.