Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into a non-profit service contract with Impact Community Action to implement the Empowered! program and support energy efficient, sustainable neighborhoods in line with the City’s Columbus Climate Action Plan. Empowered! is a clean-energy jobs program geared toward Columbus residents ages 18-24. The program will provide training and on-the-job experience for careers in the clean-energy sector and focus on recruiting participants from communities of color and women in Opportunity Neighborhoods. These services cannot be provided by current city employees.
Funding will support three cohorts of program participants over the next year, providing training to establish the skills and knowledge needed to be a competitive candidate for full-time employment within the clean-energy sector. Training will also highlight career exploration; digital literacy; diversity, equity and inclusion; and wraparound services. Additionally, all participants will receive Customer Service Credential, NCCER Core, and OSHA 10 certifications upon program completion.
Furthermore, Empowered! participants will receive on-the-job experience as Energy Advocates, helping residents navigate and better understand energy efficiency and the range of energy programs available to them. They will also perform low-level energy audits and simple energy upgrades such as LED-bulb replacement. Participants will be paid $17 per hour as Energy Advocates and receive compensation for their training.
Upon completion of the program, Empowered! graduates will be placed in pre-apprenticeships or apprenticeships, or directly employed in fields such as weatherization, construction, utilities, solar installation and manufacturing. The Empowered! Program will advance both the Columbus Climate Action Plan and environmental justice by supporting those communities most impacted by climate change. This program is anticipated to serve 75 youth participants.
The funding also includes support for energy-efficient appliance upgrades for traditional Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) participants (below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line). This program has previously served over 180 households, a majority of which are black female-headed households and is anticipated to assist over 300 households with new energy efficient appliances. Appliances include refrigerators, stoves, freezers and washers and dryers.
This contract(s) will include program expenses beginning January 1, 2024.
Impact Community Action, FID 205536173, CC#CC001447
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes a transfer and appropriation of $2,350,000.00 from the General Fund Income Tax Set Aside subfund to the Sustainable Columbus Fund and the expenditure of $2,350,000.00 from the Sustainable Columbus Fund, to Impact Community Action for implementation of the Empowered! Program and neighborhood energy efficiency measures.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with Impact Community Action for implementation of the Empowered! Program, a clean-energy jobs program and neighborhood energy efficiency measures; to authorize the transfer of $2,350,000.00 from the General Fund Income Tax Set Aside Subfund to the Sustainable Columbus Fund; to authorize the appropriation of $2,350,000.00 within the Sustainable Columbus Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $2,350,000.00 from the Sustainable Columbus Fund. ($2,350,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Empowered! is a clean-energy jobs program geared toward Columbus residents ages 18-24; and
WHEREAS, the Empowered! program will provide training and on-the-job experience for careers in the clean-energy sector and focus on recruiting participants from communities of color and women in Opportunity Neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Impact Community Action is a non-profit organization with a mission to fight poverty by providing hope inspiring help and real opportunities for self-sufficiency; and
WHEREAS, Impact Community Action will provide career readiness, training, and placement for youth in Opportunity Neighborhoods, while simultaneously increasing the sustainability and resiliency of housing for families in Opportunity Neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, IMPACT Community Action will provide expanded Weatherization Assistance programming for residents between 200%-300% of the Federal Poverty Line; and
WHEREAS, IMPACT Community Action will provide energy efficient appliance replacement and upgrades for residents below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line; and
WHEREAS, this contract is awarded pursuant to provisions relating to non-profit services of City Code Chapter 329.30; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and transfer funds from the General Fund Income Tax Set Aside Subfund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and expend funds from the Sustainable Columbus Fund; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Impact Community Action for the Empowered program to ensure that training, skill development, apprenticeship programming, and eventual direct employment can occur for local youth; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into a non-profit service contract with Impact Community Action to implement the Empowered! Program.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund Income Tax Set Aside Subfund No. 1000-100099, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, the sum of $2,350,000 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Finance and Management per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance in order to carry out the purpose of this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 1397-2024 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $2,350,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized from the General Fund Income Tax Set Aside Subfund to the Sustainable Columbus Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 1397-2024 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 4. That the appropriation of $2,350,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized within the Sustainable Columbus Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 1397-2024 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $2,350,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized from the Sustainable Columbus Fund 2260 in object class 03 Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 1397-2024 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 6. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of Finance and Management, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.30 relating to awarding not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 10. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.