Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation seeks to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) in an amount up to $2,000,000.00 for the purposes of continuing the work previously performed by the downtown Special Improvement Districts (SIDs) who provided additional safety and cleanliness activities and other services which benefit downtown workers, residents and businesses. CDDC will perform these services on behalf of property owners now and throughout calendar year 2026. Expenses incurred prior to the creation of a purchase order, starting September 1, 2025, will also be authorized. Funding will be advanced to the agency on a predetermined schedule.
Further, this legislation seeks to declare an emergency to ensure that there are no delays in the continuation of services to downtown workers, residents, and businesses.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding of $500,000.00 is available within the General Fund and $1,500,000.00 is available in the Housing Business Tax Incentive fund.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: Columbus Downtown Development Corporation’s vendor number is 010217 and expires on 07/08/2026.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Downtown Development Corporation in an amount up to $2,000,000.00; to authorize the expenditure of $500,000.00 from the General Fund; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $1,500,000.00 from the Housing Business Tax Incentive fund; to allow for the reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order but in no event earlier than September 1, 2025; to allow for advancement of grant funds on a predetermined schedule; and to declare an emergency. ($2,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development seeks to continue the work previously performed by the downtown Special Improvement Districts (SIDs) who performed services which included additional safety and cleanliness activities and other services which benefit downtown workers, residents and businesses.; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Downtown Development Corp. (CDDC) has extensive experience serving the residents, workers, and business of Downtown Columbus; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes an expenditure up to $500,000.00 from the General Fund; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of up to $1,500,000.00 from the Housing Business Tax Incentive fund; and
WHEREAS, expenses incurred prior to the purchase order, starting September 1, 2025, will be permitted and funding will be advanced to the agency on a predetermined schedule; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Development, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into this grant agreement in a timely and effective manner, to promote job creation and economic development and to ensure that there are no delays in the continuation of services to downtown workers, residents, and business, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety, peace, property and welfare; and 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 to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) in an amount up to $2,000,000.00 to support the safety and cleanliness of Downtown Columbus; that the reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order but in no event earlier than September 1, 2025, shall be allowed; and that the advance payment of grant funds shall be made on a predetermined schedule.
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 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development), in object class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the sum of $1,500,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 2229 (Housing Business Tax Fund), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development), in object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 2229 (Housing Business Tax Fund), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development), in object class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this grant agreement is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
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 contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.