Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into two separate contracts with the Hilltop Business Association (HBA). The first contract with the HBA is for $15,000 for administrative costs associated with Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program (NCR). This funding enables the HBA to develop and implement economic development projects as an additional stimulus for the NCR Program.
The second contract with the Hilltop Business Association is for $15,000 to allow the HBA to manage and execute a Market Analysis for the Hilltop NCR area. The Market Analysis will include strategic recommendations and action steps to address ways to improve the commercial climate in the Hilltop business district.
Emergency action is requested to allow the Hilltop Business Association to initiate both the Market Analysis and the implementation of economic development projects.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for the NCR, economic development program will consist of $15,000 from the 2007 Community Development Block Grant Program. Funding for the Market Analysis will consist of $15,000 from the Jobs Growth Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into two separate contracts with the Hilltop Business Association; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $15,000 to the Development Department within the Jobs Growth Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $15,000 from an existing auditors certificate; and to declare an emergency. ($15,000)
Body
WHEREAS, the Hilltop Business Association, in existence for over 80 years, has sponsored community events, provided a means for area business people to network, and generally promoted local economic development projects; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus established the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program in 1981, of which Broad Street in the Hilltop is one of the NCR areas; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development wishes to provide a funding source, as an additional stimulus to the NCR Program, to enable the Hilltop Business Association to develop and implement additional economic development projects; and
WHEREAS, the Market Analysis to be managed and executed by the Hilltop Business Association is needed to make recommendations and action steps on ways to improve the commercial climate in the Hilltop Business District; and
WHEREAS, the Market Analysis will be used to publicize efforts to revitalize the Hilltop Business District with the media, city leaders, and the public; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is necessary to allow the Hilltop Business Association to implement the Market Analysis and initiate economic development projects in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contracts with the Hilltop Business Association, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $15,000 in the Jobs Growth Fund, Fund 015 to the Development Department, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA 440215.
Section 2. That the expenditure of $15,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Development Department, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, Jobs Growth Fund, Fund 015, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA 440215
Section 3. That the Director of Development will draw an amount not to exceed $15,000 from Auditor's Certificate AC 026664/002 for the purpose of entering into an administrative contract with the Hilltop Business Association.
Section 4. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Hilltop Business Association for the purpose of initiating economic development projects as related to the NCR Program.
Section 5. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Hilltop Business Association to manage and execute a Market Analysis in the Hilltop Business District.
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 its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.