Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into Grant Agreements with numerous social service agencies for Year 2 of the department’s Elevate 1.0 program. See attached Exhibit A for the list of 44 social service agencies included in this ordinance. The total amount to be awarded to these agencies is $4,550,000.00. The term of each Grant Agreement shall be from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
In 2022, the department executed Beneficiary Agreements using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to a number social service agencies to support and increase the organizational capacity of non-profit organizations that experienced revenue losses such as cancelled fundraising events, decreases in donor support, and increased expenditures such as PPE, virtual meeting licenses, and related hardware caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 was the first year of the three year Elevate 1.0 program. The grants awarded under this legislation is known as Elevate 1.0, Year 2.
Because the funding source for Year 2 is general fund dollars, the agreement type to be used is a Grant Agreement, not a Beneficiary Agreement. The Grant Agreement will be an original agreement as the terms and conditions for Year 2 will be different from Year 1, although the purpose remains the same. Pending general fund funding availability for Year 3, these Grant Agreements will be modified in 2024.
The Notice of Financial Award (NOFA) was advertised from April 22, 2022, through May 13, 2022, on the City’s Website (Department of Development webpage), the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County’s website, and by press release. The City received 86 proposals for $9,875,000.00 in requests. Forty-eight community agencies were recommended for the $5,000,000.00 in available funding. Forty-four community agencies are listed in this ordinance with funding for four agencies included in three other ordinances (Ordinances 1826-2023 and 1827-2023 and an ordinance that has yet to be submitted).
The City of Columbus continues to see increases in the number of residents who lack access to affordable housing. Advocates report that anywhere between 300-600 people are living unsheltered in Columbus every day; the majority desire safe and affordable housing. Additionally, infant mortality rates in Columbus and Franklin County remain alarmingly high for black babies. Immigrants and refugees relocate to Columbus because we are a welcoming city. Columbus’ limited supply of housing, lack of knowledge about services and programs that support renting and homeownership, and lack of access to those services cause housing instability among immigrant and refugee residents. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate all these conditions for Columbus residents. Every organization that was recommended for funding provides services in at least one of the following Elevate! NOFA focus areas: Increasing Infant Vitality, Reducing Unsheltered Homelessness, or Increasing Housing Stability Among Immigrant and Refugee households.
Funding will be advanced to each organization on a predetermined schedule. Advancement of funds is needed because many of the organizations do not have funding available to be reimbursed for program expenses. The first advance will occur after confirmation of the Purchase Order. Before the second advance is made, the organization shall provide reports and documentation indicating how the funds were used to fulfill the scope of services in the grant agreement. This will continue throughout the term of the grant agreement. Additionally, these programs/grant agreements may include reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverages for participants of the programs which expenditure is hereby deemed to be a valid public purpose in that such purchase will address the immediate needs of program participants.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available in the Department of Development’s 2023 General Fund budget. Funding was appropriated in object class 03, but will transferred to object class 05.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: See attached Exhibit A for a list of social services agencies.
Title
To authorize the transfer of $4,550,000.00 from Object Class 03 to Object Class 05 in the Department of Development’s 2023 General Fund budget; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into Grant Agreements with numerous social service agencies for Year 2 of the department’s Elevate 1.0 program to support and increase the organizational capacity of non-profit organizations that experienced revenue losses such as cancelled fundraising events, decreases in donor support, and increased expenditures such as PPE, virtual meeting licenses, and related hardware caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; to authorize the expenditure of up to $4,550,000.00 of General Fund monies; to authorize an agreement start date of July 1, 2023; to authorize payment for reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverages for participants of programs included in the Grant Agreements; and to authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule during the term of the agreement. ($4,550,000.00) (AMENDED BY ORD. 2652-2023 PASSED OCTOBER 9, 2023) BA
Body
WHEREAS, in the City received 86 proposals with over $9.8 million in requests; and
WHEREAS, 48 agencies were selected for up to 3 years of funding through the City’s competitive funding process, with 44 agencies included in this ordinance and four agencies included in three other ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in negative economic impacts on non-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, this legislation provides the second year of support for said agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Grant Agreements will include advance payments to the organizations and some programs will provide reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverages to participants; and
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the transfer of $4,550,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), object class 03 (Services) to Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration) to object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 3, the expenditure of $4,550,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3 That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into Grant Agreements with numerous social service agencies (see Exhibit A of this ordinance) for Year 2 of the department’s Elevate 1.0 program to support and increase the organizational capacity of non-profit organizations that experienced revenue losses and the Grant Agreements are authorized to have a start date of July 1, 2023. The total amount to be awarded to these agencies is up to $4,550,000.00.
SECTION 4. That the use of grant funds to provide program participants reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverages while participating in program activities constitutes a proper public purpose.
SECTION 5. That the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule is hereby authorized during the term of the Grant Agreement
SECTION 6. 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 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all grants or grant modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.