Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a not-for-profit service agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for an energy efficient home repair program on a pre-determined payment schedule including advanced payment.
This initiative is similar to some of the city’s traditional home repair programs in that it is income-restricted (applicants must be at or below 200% federal poverty level 100% Area Median income guidelines), and that seniors, veterans, and homeowners with the most urgent needs will receive priority service. This program will have a specific focus on energy efficiency, weatherization, and cost-reduction for homeowners in need. This home repair program also serves as a companion piece to ordinance 1869-2026, passed in June of this year, which provided funding to Green Columbus to perform tree plantings on private property.
As part of this agreement, MORPC will administer the program, including the distribution, intake, and management of applications, communication with both the city and homeowners, including status updates on repairs, and monitoring and managing contractors assigned to work. MORPC is managing this program on behalf of the city because they possess the combination of experience with home repair and weatherization/energy efficiency improvement programs that the city does not have the capacity for.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested in order to immediately undertake work for urgently needed home repairs. There are emergency repairs associated with roofing and HVAC that will immediately put residents at risk if inclement weather arrives ahead of the effective date of this ordinance.
Contract Compliance: the vendor number is 004591 and expires 07/06/2028
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available to support the home repair portion of this agreement in the amount of $325,000.00 within Fund 7739 in the Green Home Replacements project (200041-100000). Funding to support MORPC’s administration of the program is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a not-for-profit service agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to administer an energy efficient home repair program; to authorize the expenditure within the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the advancement of funding on a predetermined schedule; and to declare an emergency. ($409,600.00).
Body
WHEREAS, in the ongoing pursuit of sustainability and environmental stewardship, the city is entering into a not-for-profit service agreement with MORPC for a home repair program focused on energy efficiency and weatherization; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure in an amount up to $325,000.00 is authorized within the Development Taxable Bond Fund (7739) in the Green Home Replacements project (200041-100000); and
WHEREAS, the appropriation and expenditure are authorized in an amount up to $84,600.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund ; and
WHEREAS, MORPC will administer the program, including the distribution, intake, and management of application, communication with both the city and homeowners, including status updates on repairs, monitoring and managing contractors assigned to work; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual and daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a not-for-profit service agreement with MORPC to undertake critically needed home repairs without delay thereby preserving 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 Development is hereby authorized to enter into a not-for-profit service agreement with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to administer an energy efficient home repair program, and that funding may be provided in advance in order to initiate planning activities associated with the program.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure in an amount up to $325,000.00, or so much thereof as is needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7739 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate $84,600.00 to the Department of Development within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure in an amount up to $84,600.00, or so much thereof as is needed, is hereby authorized within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, the 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.