Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Columbus Urban League to support the African-American Male Initiative. The Initiative evolved out of discussions held during the African-American Male Summit, which was conducted in January of 2006 by Mayor Coleman and Councilman Kevin Boyce. At the Summit, the primary topics were the increasing homicide rates among young African-American men and what strategies could be employed to tackle the underlying factors.
Objectives of the Initiative are to work collaboratively with existing programs, services and organizations within the community to address the issues and circumstances that have hindered many African-American males from being successful, healthy, balanced and well-adjusted members of society.
Activities will focus on four areas: 1) educational/social development; 2) prevention; 3) faith-based involvement; and 4) business with an overall core focus on leadership development and enhancement of self- esteem for African-American men and boys.
Funding being authorized by this legislation represents the second year of support from the City for the Initiative, from which specific programs, i.e. the Father 2 Father Program, a partnership between the Urban League and the Child Support Enforcement Agency to assist men in becoming responsible and nurturing fathers, have been developed.
The ordinance is presented as an emergency to facilitate the continuation of activities without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are allocated from the 2008 General Fund. In June 2007 the City of Columbus entered into a contract with the Columbus Urban League to administer the Initiative utilizing $150,000.00 from the 2007 General Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Development Department to enter into a contract with the Columbus Urban League to support the African-American Male Initiative; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of Development desires to enter into a contract with the Columbus Urban League to support the African-American Male Initiative; and
WHEREAS, funding for this contract is allocated from the General Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Initiative evolved out of discussions held during the African-American Male Summit, which was conducted in January 2006 by Mayor Coleman and Councilman Kevin Boyce; and
WHEREAS, at the Summit the primary subjects were the increasing rates of homicide among young African-American males and what strategies could be employed to tackle the underlying factors; and
WHEREAS, objectives of the Initiative are to work collaboratively with existing programs, services and organizations within the community to address the issues and circumstances that have hindered many African-American males from being successful, healthy, balanced and well-adjusted members of society; and
WHEREAS, activities will focus on four areas: 1) educational/social development; 2) prevention; 3) faith-based involvement; and 4) business with an overall core focus on leadership development and enhancement of self esteem for African-American men and boys; and
WHERAS, funding being authorized by this legislation represents the second year of support from the City for the Initiative; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with the Columbus Urban League and to expend said funds in order to facilitate the continuation of activities without interruption, 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 Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with the Columbus Urban League for support of the African-American-Male Initiative.
Section 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $150,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Development, Neighborhood Services Division, Division No. 44-05, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440280.
Section 3. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Code.
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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.