Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Neighborhood Design Center is a non-profit, community-based corporation. The City has been funding the Neighborhood Design Center since November, 1982. Since that time, the organization has undertaken work for numerous clients all within the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) districts. Assistance has been provided to the business associations and the various businesses within the NCR districts. The Neighborhood Design Center also provides corridor branding, marketing, promotion, and other technical assistance services as well as assists with financial alternatives within CDBG service areas.
In addition, the Neighborhood Design Center provides design services to any commercial property owner or tenant in the NCR districts. A minor amount of design assistance may well stimulate investment and create a quality business built upon good design. This legislation will authorize the expenditure of $143,000 for the above-mentioned purpose.
Emergency action is necessary to allow the Neighborhood Design Center to provide services to the business community without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for the Neighborhood Design Center will consist of $143,000 from the 2018 Community Development Block Grant Fund Budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Neighborhood Design Center to provide design services and other technical assistance within the NCR and CDBG service areas; to authorize the expenditure of $143,000.00 from the 2018 Community Development Block Grant Fund Budget; and to declare an emergency. ($143,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program encourages the aesthetic improvement of exterior building facades; and
WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Design Center has been established to promote the role of the architect in the development process to provide training for architecture students, to encourage good design in redevelopment and to generate participation in the City's commercial revitalization efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Design Center also provides planning activities and assistance to the businesses in the NCR districts and the CDBG service area; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to enter into a contract with the Neighborhood Design Center in order to provide architectural services for exterior design work and related design assistance, and other technical assistance activities in the NCR and CDBG service areas; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has been a partner with the Neighborhood Design Center since 1982; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is necessary to allow the Neighborhood Design Center to provide services to the business community without interruption; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Neighborhood Design Center for the administration of said activity, 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 a twelve (12) month administrative contract, commencing March 1, 2018 and ending February 28, 2019 with the Neighborhood Design Center to provide exterior design services and planning activities within the NCR and CDBG service areas.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $143,000 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2248 Community Development Block Grant in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to non-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, 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.