Explanation
Background:
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a grant agreement with Ohio State University College of Social Work in the amount up to $152,277.00 to support the implementation of the One Linden Schools Initiative (OLSI) at Hamilton STEM Academy and Windsor STEM Academy.
OLSI works to ensure schools in Linden function as community hubs, providing access to programs and services that address both academic and non-academic needs. OLSI extends and complements district priorities such as curriculum alignment, professional development, and trauma-informed instruction. The five strategic priorities are: (1) address academic gaps, (2) meet basic needs for student learning, (3) expand access to coordinated health and behavioral services, (4) enhance positive youth development experiences and out-of-school learning programs, and (5) strengthen family and community engagement.
OLSI utilizes the Community Collaboration Model (CCM), an evidence-based model developed by leaders at the Community and Youth Collaborative Institute at the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University, to directly engage students, parents, guardians, and educators at the two schools.
This ordinance seeks to allow for the reimbursement of program expenses incurred on or after August 1, 2025, prior to execution of the purchase order. Grant funding for programming includes the purchase of food and/or non-alcoholic beverage items for program participants, which serve the public for the purpose of administering community-based and school-based programming. Food and/or non-alcoholic beverage purchases will be subject to what is allowable in the grant agreement. Any cost of food and/or non-alcoholic beverage incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed. Costs will not exceed $15 per person, and any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Fiscal Impact: The fiscal impact associated with the grant is up to $152,277.00 to come from the Fund 1000 General Fund (GF).
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in providing the resources necessary to Ohio State University College of Social Work to support the One Linden Schools Initiative for the 2025/2026 school year.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a grant agreement with Ohio State University College of Social Work in support of the One Linden Schools Initiative; and to authorize the expenditure from the General Fund; and to authorize the payment of non-food related program expenses incurred starting August 1, 2025; and to allow food and/or non-alcoholic beverage expenses incurred after the effective date of the ordinance; and to declare an emergency. ($152,277.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the One Linden Schools Initiative is aligned with the One Linden Plan’s Support Student Success Big Idea; and
WHEREAS, the One Linden Schools Initiative will directly engage students, parents, guardians, and educators at the Hamilton STEM Academy and Windsor STEM Academy and
WHEREAS, this funding will allow Ohio State University College of Social Work to advance work that will improve student success, increase parent/family and community engagement, and help to address behavioral mental health issues among youth; and
WHEREAS, expenses incurred on or after August 1, 2025, prior to execution of the purchase order, will be reimbursable; and
WHEREAS, food and/or beverage purchases will be subject to what is allowable in the respective grant agreements. Costs will not exceed $15 per person and any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited. Any cost of food and non-alcoholic beverage incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Ohio State University College of Social Work to avoid any delay in providing the resources necessary for the One Linden Schools Initiative to serve students and their families during the 2025/2026 school year, all for the immediate preservation of 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 the Department of Neighborhoods is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement effective August 1, 2025, with Ohio State University College of Social Work in support of the One Linden Schools Initiative.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure up to $152,277.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That expenses incurred prior to the date of the purchase order but in no event before August 1, 2025, are reimbursable.
SECTION 4. That Columbus City Council deems the expenditure of food and non-alcoholic beverage to be a proper public purpose. Any cost of food and non-alcoholic beverage incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed. Food and beverage related expenditures will be subject to what is allowable in the grant agreement and shall not exceed $15 per person.
SECTION 5. 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 and to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that these contracts are properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City’s financial records.
SECTION 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.