Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with LifeCare Alliance in support of the Meals-on-Wheels program.
Meals-on-Wheels provides food and healthy meals to older adults and individuals living with a medical challenge and/or disability in Central Ohio. The program experienced significant expansion as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the City continues to see expansion almost 6 years later, because it serves those most vulnerable - seniors and individuals with a medical challenge. LifeCare Alliance serves approximately 6,000 home-delivered meals per day and is the largest provider of senior meals through community dining centers in both Central Ohio and the state, according to the Ohio Department of Aging.
Funding will be used to cover expenses such as food, meal delivery mileage, kitchen staff time, and other direct service costs. Nutritionally enriched meals are prepared by Agency kitchen staff and registered dietitians. Meal delivery by volunteers and paid drivers offer a daily visit and check-in to clients. A variety of meals are provided to ensure that unique needs are met, including hot, cold, frozen, kosher, vegetarian, pureed, shelf-stable, and mechanical soft. Meals-on-Wheels provides nourishing food and a daily visit 365 days a year.
City Council is proposing $145,000.00 in support of these efforts.
FISCAL IMPACT: $145,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested in order for LifeCare Alliance to prevent interruption in their food services to seniors and those with medical challenges in Columbus, due to uncertain federal funding.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with LifeCare Alliance in support of the Meals-on-Wheels program; to authorize the payment of food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $145,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($145,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is need to provide support and resources to our City’s families in need; and
WHEREAS, the mission of LifeCare Alliance is to keep seniors and those with medical challenges or disabilities safe, independent, and living in their own homes, which includes ready access to food; and
WHEREAS, LifeCare Alliance administers the Meals-on-Wheels program to provide for these needs; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing support of $145,000.00 in support of this program; and
WHEREAS, $145,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's Office in that it is necessary for the Clerk to enter into a contract immediately with LifeCare Alliance to ensure there is no interruption in their food services to seniors and those with medical challenges in Columbus, in light of uncertain federal funding, and for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, and safety; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with LifeCare Alliance in support of the Meals-on-Wheels program.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $145,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $145,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance, and that any and all of said expenditure may be used for the procurement of food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses.
SECTION 3. 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 5. That the distribution of food and beverages associated with the execution of this grant agreement are deemed to be for a proper public purpose.
SECTION 6. 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.