Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with A Step in the Right Direction, a non-profit corporation. for the establishment of a Emergency Weather Resiliency Program.
A Step in the Right Direction seeks to improve accessibility and foster self-sufficiency while inspiring, growing, and strengthening communities-barrier free.
This grant will support the establishment of a Emergency Weather Resiliency Program to help protect unhoused individuals from the extremely cold weather. The program will provide a hub to operate as a low-barrier and community led space designed to prevent cold-weather injuries and deaths. The grant will cover the cost of the lease with Westgate United Methodist Church, who is leasing their space for the utilization of the hub for 40 individuals overnight. The grant will also cover personnel cost to cover the $21/an hour for part-time employees to assist with night to night operations including set up/tear down and assist guest, crisis intervention specialists to assist with de-escalation, safety and security throughout the building and surrounding outside area, and for the Executive Director, who will oversee administration duties, reporting, program compliance and training.
This grant will also cover the costs of materials and supplies, such as, cots, blankets/pillows, daily bus passes, essential toiletries, and nonperishable food to support the health and safety of participants throughout the entire day.
As part of the execution of this grant, A Step in the Right Direction will distribute food and beverages to those utilizing the Emergency Weather Resiliency program.
Emergency action is required because due to capital needs, upfront funding is needed to ensure that the program can be effectively implemented without financial constraints for operations and payroll. Additionally, the winter weather has arrived for the season and waiting poses risk to the health of city residents.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this grant agreement is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with A Step in the Right Direction for the establishment of a Emergency Weather Resiliency Program; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($54,154.00)
Body
WHEREAS, A Step in the Right Direction provides emergency overnight shelter to protect unhoused individuals from the extremely cold weather; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council seeks to support Columbus’ residents across all neighborhoods, and the organization’s mission furthers those goals; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Clerk's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with A Step in the Right Direction in support of the establishment of a Emergency Weather Resiliency Program and their providing of emergency overnight shelter is imminent and City support is needed in order to award the funds, 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 City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with A Step in the Right Direction for the establishment of a Emergency Weather Resiliency Program, and that funding may be provided to A Step in the Right Direction upfront in order to acquire the assets needed to operate an efficient warming center.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate $54,154.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $54,154.00, or so much thereof as necessary, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the distribution of food and non-alcoholic beverages associated with the execution of this grant agreement are deemed to be for a public purpose. Food and non-alcoholic beverage costs are authorized in an amount not to exceed the per-person, per-meal costs under the applicable per diem by meal established by location as set by the Federal General Services Administration.
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.