Explanation
The Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services desires to enter into a Subrecipient Agreement - Not-for-Profit Service Contract with Creating Central Ohio Futures (CCOF) for its Building Back Better Together (3BT) program, in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, to provide job training and placement assistance services and authorize reimbursement for services retroactive to January 1, 2023.
Ordinance No. 1201-2021 authorized the City of Columbus to accept and appropriate approximately $187,030,138.00 of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as signed into law by the President of the United States on March 11, 2021.
Many workers lost jobs or had their hours reduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have found new jobs while others have not and may still be unemployed or underemployed. The 3BT program works to educate program participants by providing training and job-related education, including soft skill development, financial literacy assistance, practical experience, individualized support, and industry recognized training certifications. CCOF leverages relationships with industry-specific partners for program recruitment and opportunities for post-graduation. 3BT participants will emerge ready to pursue a career in a job that provides economic security for years to come.
3BT participants who meet attendance and performance standards will receive a $150 weekly stipend and may also receive up to $750 in emergency financial assistance with childcare, transportation, and sealing of criminal records.
These services are being contracted out, as the department does not have the resources to operate or manage this program internally
It is expected that the guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury will be modified while this contract is in effect, and it is requested that the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services be given the authority to modify the terms and conditions of the contract without seeking additional Council approval in order to align with the most current version of the laws, regulations, and guidance.
Creating Central Ohio Futures is a not-for-profit organization supported in part by the City of Columbus and Franklin County, and the Building Back Better Together program serves residents of the City of Columbus.
Emergency action is requested to address the impacts of the COVID-19 health emergency, to reimburse CCOF for services they have already provided, and to allow CCOF to quickly resume this programming for participants to improve their lives and the lives of their families through additional and marketable work skill training.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is provided to the City of Columbus from the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress and signed into law March 11, 2021.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 035877 and contract compliance is pending.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services to execute a Subrecipient Agreement - Not-for-Profit Service Contract with Creating Central Ohio Futures (CCOF) for its Building Back Better Together (3BT) program, in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, to provide job training and placement assistance services; to authorize the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services to modify the terms and conditions of the Subrecipient Agreement - Not-for-Profit Service Contract as needed without seeking further City Council approval in order to align with the most current version of the laws, regulations, and guidance from the federal government; to authorize reimbursement retroactive to January 1, 2023; to authorize the program’s issuance of stipends to program participants; to authorize the program’s issuance of emergency assistance funds to program participants; to authorize the expenditure not to exceed $500,000.00 of ARPA funds; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Creating Central Ohio Futures is a not-for-profit organization supported in part by the City of Columbus and Franklin County, and the Building Back Better Together (3BT) program serves residents of the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in negative impacts on individuals, such as loss of work, reduced hours, and reduced income; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of ARPA funding to support job training assistance is necessary to alleviate the negative economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services desires to allow reimbursement retroactive to January 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS, stipends provide additional incentives for participants to participate and complete the program while reducing the cost of participation; and
WHEREAS, the City is not able to provide the services from City staff employees; and
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2023 Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Building and Zoning Services in that it is immediately necessary to address the impacts of the COVID-19 health emergency, to reimburse CCOF for services they have already provided, and to allow CCOF to quickly resume this programming for participants to improve their lives and the lives of their families through additional and marketable work skill training, such immediate action is necessary for the 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 Building and Zoning Services is authorized to enter into a Subrecipient Agreement - Not-for-Profit Service Contract with Creating Central Ohio Futures (CCOF) for its Building Back Better Together (3BT) program, in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, to provide job training and placement assistance services; to modify the terms and conditions of the Subrecipient Agreement - Not-for-Profit Service Contract as needed without seeking further City Council approval in order to align with the most current version of the laws, regulations, and guidance; to authorize funding advances to the 3BT program; to allow for retroactive reimbursement to January 1, 2023; to authorize the 3BT program’s issuance of stipends to program participants; and to authorize 3BT program’s issuance of emergency assistance funds to program participants.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2209 (ARPA), Dept-Div 43-01 (Building and Zoning), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4: That the Director of Building and Zoning Services is authorized to enter into a Subrecipient Agreement - Not For Profit Service Contract pursuant to CC Section 329.30.
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.
SECTION 6. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.