Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a professional services contract with Community Solutions Collaborative. LLC for the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) project. The project will conduct an analysis to identify impediments to fair housing choice within the city of Columbus and identify actions to overcome the effects of any impediments identified through the analysis.
The Department of Finance and Management, Grants Management Section anticipates an annual entitlement funding award for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CDBG entitlement program provides annual grants on a formula basis to cities and counties to develop viable urban communities, provide decent housing and a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. All City CDBG expenditures must be consistent with the community needs, priorities, and strategies stated in the City’s Draft HUD 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, adopted by City Council as Ordinance #2968-2024, to be submitted to HUD for approval.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the Fair Housing Act, requires recipients of funds from HUD to affirmatively further the policies and purposes of the Fair Housing Act, also know as “affirmatively further fair housing.” The obligation to affirmatively further fair housing requires recipients of HUD funds to take meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected classes.
This ordinance is needed to appropriate and authorize the expenditure of a portion of the CDBG award and authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Community Solutions Collaborative. LLC.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of up to $160,000.00 from funding awarded to the City by HUD from Fund 2248. There is no impact to the General Fund as a result of this legislation.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a professional services contract with Community Solutions Collaborative. LLC for the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) project, in the amount of $160,000.00; and to authorize the appropriation and the expenditure of $160,000.00 from Fund 2248. ($160,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is an entitlement community and a Participating Jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the City is a current recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from HUD; and
WHEREAS, $7,500,000.00 in entitlement grant funds are anticipated from HUD for the CDBG program for Fiscal Year 2025; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to take active steps to promote fair housing, in fulfillment of the City’s obligations under the Fair Housing Act and in compliance with HUD regulations as a recipient of CDBG funds; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Management utilized a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to identify and assess qualified firms for the AI project; and
WHEREAS, proposals were submitted in response to RFQ029396 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code pertaining to professional services contracts, through which process Community Solutions Collaborative LLC received the highest overall score from the RFP committee for the AI project; and
WHEREAS, CDBG funds awarded from HUD will be utilized for the AI project; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Community Solutions Collaborative. LLC, in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications of Solicitation Number: RFQ029396 on file in the Purchasing Office; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and authorize the expenditure of $160,000.00 from Fund 2248 for the AI project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Community Solutions Collaborative. LLC in an amount up to $160,000.00 using CDBG funding to undertake the AI project.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of up to $160,000.00, is hereby authorized in Fund 2248, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies in Fund 2248 (CDBG) and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the grant period, the sum of $160,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 2248 (CDBG), Dept-Div 45-01, Object Class 03 (Contracts).
SECTION 4. 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 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.