Explanation
Background:
Ordinance No. 2006-2026, passed by Columbus City Council on March 25, 2026, authorized the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with the Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) to support design planning, predevelopment activities (feasibility study and site analysis), capacity building, and education and outreach activities for a planned physical location in the City's Near East Side Neighborhood.
After ordinance passage it was determined that transitioning the grant to the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS, which serves as a fiscal sponsor for BFC, was necessary, but the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS had to wait for registration with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
The correct recipient for this advanced payment grant agreement is the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS.
Fiscal Impact: No additional funding is required.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to prevent delays in on-going projects needed to help start and grow Co-op enterprises.
Title
To amend Ordinance No. 2006-2026, passed by Columbus City Council on March 25, 2026, to change the grantee from the Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) to their fiscal agent the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS to help start and grow Co-op enterprises; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2006-2026, passed by Columbus City Council on March 25, 2026, authorized the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with the Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) to support design planning, predevelopment activities (feasibility study and site analysis), capacity building, and education and outreach activities for a planned physical location in the City's Near East Side Neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, after ordinance passage it was determined that transitioning the grant to the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS, which serves as a fiscal sponsor for BFC, was necessary, but the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS had to wait for registration with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods in that it is immediately necessary to amend Ordinance 2006-2026, passed by Columbus City Council on March 25, 2026 to prevent delays in on-going projects needed to help start and grow Co-op enterprises, all for the immediate 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 Background of Ordinance No. 2006-2026 is hereby amended as follows with additions in underline and deletions in strikethrough:
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with Bronzeville Food Co-op the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS to support design planning, predevelopment activities (feasibility study and site analysis), capacity building, and education and outreach activities for a planned physical location for the Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) in the City's Near East Side Neighborhood.
Bronzeville Food Co-op is a group of community members and local nonprofits working to establish a co-op grocery store in the Near East Side neighborhood that strives to empower the community through a cooperative model that offers affordable, nutritious food while enhancing community interaction and ownership.
Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) is at a crucial stage where a dedicated staff person is essential to coordinate various processes. This grant will provide support to the BFC Cooperative Development Fund of CDS to strengthen internal operations through capacity building, a clear physical plan, and stronger community relationships.
With support from the City, BFC the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS will conduct a feasibility study and site analysis to be clear on a viable store location in the City's Near East Side Neighborhood. Given a specific site BFC the Cooperative Development Fund of CDS can then develop a comprehensive business plan, including projected services and build-out cost that are tailored to the actual needs of the community. During this period BFC partnerships for the actual store. BFC The Cooperative Development Fund of CDS will also continue to expand community education and outreach through tabling and speaking at local events, meeting with key stakeholders and investigating areas of mutual concern with other businesses, with the goals of generating a substantial increase in volunteers, donors and in-kind supporters.
Emergency legislation is requested in order to ensure a timely issuance of grant funds in support of the program, which will begin on August 03, 2026. Upfront funding is needed to ensure that the program can be effectively implemented without financial constraints for operations and supplies.
Funding for this grant agreement is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
SECTION 2. That the existing Background of Ordinance No 2006-2026 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That the existing Title of Ordinance No 2006-2026 is hereby amended as follows with additions in underline and deletions in strikethrough:
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) Cooperative Development Fund of CDS to support design planning, predevelopment activities (feasibility study and site analysis), capacity building, and education and outreach activities for a planned physical location for the Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) in the City's Near East Side Neighborhood; to authorize an expenditure and appropriation within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
SECTION 4. That the existing Title of Ordinance No 2006-2026 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 5. That the existing Body of Ordinance No 2006-2026 is hereby amended as follows with additions in underline and deletions in strikethrough:
Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) empowers the community through a cooperative model that offers affordable, nutritious food while enhancing community interaction and ownership; and
Columbus City Council seeks to support Columbus’ residents across all neighborhoods, and the organization’s mission furthers those goals; and
an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Clerk's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Clerk to enter into a advance payment grant agreement with Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) Cooperative Development Fund of CDS to support in design planning, predevelopment activities (feasibility study and site analysis), capacity building, and education and outreach activities as imminent and City support is needed in order to award the funds, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
SECTION 6. That the existing Body of Ordinance No 2006-2026 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 7. That the existing Section 1 of Ordinance No 2006-2026 is hereby amended as follows with additions in underline and deletions in strikethrough:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) Cooperative Development Fund of CDS, in the amount of $100,000, to support in design planning, predevelopment activities (feasibility study and site analysis), capacitybuilding, and education and outreach activities for a planned physical location for the Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) in the City's Near East Side Neighborhood.
SECTION 8. That the existing Section 1 of Ordinance No 2006-2026 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 9. That the existing Section 4 of Ordinance No 2006-2026 is hereby amended as follows:
SECTION 4. That funds shall be paid in advance to the Bronzeville Food Co-op (BFC) Cooperative Development Fund of CDS in order for the organization to have the resources necessary for a timely support for design planning, predevelopment activities (feasibility study and site analysis), capacity building, and education and outreach activities.
SECTION 10. That the existing Section 4 of Ordinance No 2006-2026 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 11. That existing Title of Ordinance No. 2006-2026 and all references in the Background section and recitals of Ordinance No. 2006-2026 inconsistent with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 12. That all provisions of Ordinance No. 2006-2026 not expressly repealed herein shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 13. That for the reason 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.