Explanation
Background
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into advance payment grant agreements with nonprofit community organizations in support of the New American Integration Seed Grants programming. Community and civic organizations were eligible to apply for funding to create educational, empowerment and integration opportunities for new American residents. Funded programs will support English as second language classes, skill building training, workforce training, and integration.
This ordinance seeks to allow for the reimbursement of program expenses incurred on or after December 1, 2025, prior to the execution of the purchase order. Grant funding for these programs will include the purchase of food and/or non-alcoholic beverages which serve the public for the purpose of administering the various new American programs. Food and/or non-alcoholic beverage purchases will be subject to what is allowable in the respective grant agreements. Any cost of food and/or non-alcoholic beverages incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed. Costs will not exceed $15 per person and any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
The services included in these agreements cannot be provided by existing City employees because these services are beyond the City’s current responsibility and capacity to provide.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to prevent any delay in the provision of services to support new American residents.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $49,999.60 from the General Fund.
Contract Compliance:
• Advanced Technology Education: CC-045527 exp. 6.16.27
• Global Health Education and Development: CC-033691 exp. 5.1.27
• Riverview International Center, Inc.: CC-033693 exp. 6.27.26
• Diverse Center: CC-049568 exp. 6.23.27
• New American Community Information Center: CC-46134 exp. 7.1.27
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into advance payment grant agreements with non-profit organizations in support of the 2025 New American Integration Seed Grants; to authorize an expenditure from the General Fund; to authorize the payment of non-food related program expenses incurred on or after December 1, 2025; to authorize the expenditure of funds for reasonable food and/or non-alcoholic beverage costs incurred after the effective date of the ordinance; and to declare an emergency. ($49,999.60)
Body
WHEREAS, The New American integration seed grants programming is part of the Department Neighborhoods commitment to addressing emerging needs, creating access for new American residents to strengthen community-based organizations to effectively serve new arrivals and foster community building for all; and
WHEREAS, The seed grants will fund five community-based programs with a capacity to work throughout the City including various programming that enhance quality of life of new American residents; and
WHEREAS, food and/or non-alcoholic beverage purchases will be subject to what is allowable in the respective grant agreements. Costs will not exceed $15 per person and any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited. Any cost of food and/or non-alcoholic beverages incurred before the effective date of this ordinance will not be reimbursed; and
WHEREAS, program expenses incurred on or after December 1, 2025, prior to the execution of the purchase orders, will be reimbursable; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into advance pay grant agreements to avoid causing a delay in program services, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods is authorized to enter into advance payment grant agreements with the agencies below to support new Americans in Columbus including the purchase of food and/or non-alcoholic beverage items, which serve the public for the purpose of administering the New American Integration Seed Grants:
• Advanced Technology Education - $10,000.00
• Global Health Education and Development - $9,999.60
• Riverview International Center, Inc. - $10,000.00
• Diverse Center - $10,000.00
• New American Community Information Center - $10,000.00
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $49.999.60, or so much thereof as may be needed, is authorized in the General Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That those program expenses incurred prior to the date of the purchase orders but in no event before December 1, 2025, are reimbursable.
SECTION 4. That the use of said expenditures may be put toward reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses, not to exceed $15.00 per person, and that City Council hereby finds such food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses to be for a proper public purpose. The purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited, and any cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages incurred before the effective date of this ordinance will not be reimbursed.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are 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 legislation.
SECTION 7. 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.