Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to modify a grant agreement with the Franklin County Historical Society dba COSI in an amount up to $300,000.00 and to modify the scope of services as necessary.
Original agreement $500,000.00 ord. 1641-2020 PO240878
Modification 1 $300,000.00
Total agreement amount $800,000.00
This modification will allow COSI to continue two programs started earlier this year and funded with CARES Act funds to deliver distance learning throughout Columbus neighborhoods: COSI Connects and COSI on Wheels: Curbside. Through initiatives such as Learning Lunchboxes, Digital Literacy, COSI Learning App, Science Snack Spot Kits, COSI connects Digital Learning Centers, and Learning Lunchbox Community Conversations, COSI will work to keep students engaged and doing so where they are at: in their neighborhoods.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested so that the organization can provide additional services without interruption.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is provided to the City of Columbus from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress and signed into law March 27, 2020 and available in the Department of Development’s CARES Act budget (fund 2207, subfund 220702).
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to modify a grant agreement with the Franklin County Historical Society dba COSI in an amount up to $300,000.00 and to modify the scope of services; to authorize an expenditure up to $300,000.00 from the CARES Act Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council approved Ordinance 1641-2020 to provide $500,000.00 of CARES Act funding to COSI for operational support and distance learning initiatives; and
WHEREAS, COSI has had success with distance learning initiatives and additional funding is needed to continue the programs; and
WHEREAS, the COVID 19 pandemic has resulted in changes to traditional K-12 education with many students learning remotely and as such having limited access to science based experiences and even wifi; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding will be used to provide funding to bring science education to the students, in their neighborhoods, so they can stay engaged with the learning process; and
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to modify a grant agreement with Franklin County Historical Society dba COSI so that the organization can provide additional services without interruption, for the public health, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to modify a grant agreement with Franklin County Historical Society, dba COSI, in an amount up to $300,000.00 and to modify the scope of services as necessary.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $300,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2207 (CARES Act), Dept Div 44-01 (Administration), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this contract modification is in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not for profit service 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 contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.