Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Diversity Bridge Initiative is a program launched by the Columbus Chamber to cultivate the growth of minority and women-owned businesses in Columbus. Diversity Bridge is a direct outgrowth of a comprehensive strategic planning process that involved more than 100 diverse stakeholders including minority business owners, nonprofit-minority and women-owned businesses, business resource providers, local, state and federal government and the private sector.
The Chamber, in concert with its partners, serves as the centralized point of contact to assure successful implementation of the programs and activities of The Diversity Bridge program. Diversity Bridge encourages collaboration among the organizations/agencies that service minority businesses, thereby eliminating unnecessary redundancy and enhance service.
Through the Diversity Bridge web portal, the Chamber desires to provide more jobs and build wealth in the W/MBE community by creating a more efficient and effective service delivery network; and build capacity within the minority business community.
This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $50,000 from the General Fund and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Chamber for administrative costs associated with the services referenced above.
Emergency action is requested to allow the Diversity Bridge Initiative to continue services.
FISCAL IMPACT: The $50,000 for the administrative costs will come from the 2012 General Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Chamber for administrative costs associated with the Diversity Bridge Initiative; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000)
Body
WHEREAS, the Diversity Bridge Initiative provides direct programming or a link to the appropriate program for all women/minority business enterprises (W/MBEs) including start-up and mature businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Chamber in concert with its partners, serves as the centralized point of contact to assure successful implementation of the programs and activities of The Diversity Bridge Initiative; and
WHEREAS, through the Diversity Bridge web portal, the Chamber desires to provide more jobs and build wealth in the W/MBE community by creating a more efficient and effective service delivery network; and build capacity within the minority business community; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to enter into a contract with the Columbus Chamber to provide administrative costs associated with the Diversity Bridge Initiative; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested to allow the Columbus Chamber to continue to provide services through the Diversity Bridge Initiative without interruption; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to expend funds for administrative costs associated with the Columbus Chamber, Diversity Bridge Initiative, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an administrative contract with the Columbus Chamber in order to continue the Diversity Bridge Initiative.
Section 2. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
Section 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $50,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, General Fund, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA Code 442030.
Section 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this 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.