Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Department of Finance and Management, Grants Management Section has received funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program. It is the goal of the CDBG program to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- to moderate-income people.
This ordinance will authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into subrecipient agreements with two non-profit organizations for the delivery of violence prevention programs. These programs combine proactive outreach, consistent engagement, and strategic interventions. The Columbus Urban League (CUL) will receive funding to implement the Safe Passages program, a targeted, community-based violence prevention initiative designed to protect Columbus youth during the predictable high-risk periods when they are most vulnerable to violence. Community for New Direction (CND) will provide trained Intervention Specialists at identified schools during dismissal to monitor student transitions from school grounds into the surrounding community. Interventionists will proactively engage students to promote conflict de-escalation, discourage fighting, and encourage positive decision-making.
In the neighborhoods identified by the City’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), most of which are predominantly low- to moderate-income, there is a need for violence intervention and youth engagement services. These services reach young people and their families to help ensure the young residents of Columbus have healthy and safe activities and positive relationships that work to prevent engagement in crime and violence. The staff of these organizations have the experience, connection to the neighborhoods, and credibility through which they can build trust and deliver these services.
These programs have received funding through Ordinances 1840-2026 and 1844-2026. This additional funding will allow further expansion of those services.
Through this ordinance, the City will appropriate $150,000.00 in federal grant funds and will authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 across the two subrecipient agreements. The following agreements will be authorized, allowing expenditures up to the maximum amount listed for each:
Columbus Urban League (CUL), Safe Passages Program - $100,000.00
Community for New Direction (CND), Violence Prevention Program - $50,000.00
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $150,000.00 and expenditure of up to $150,000.00 from funding awarded to the City by HUD from Fund 2248.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into subrecipient agreements with Columbus Urban League and Communities for New Direction to carry out CDBG-eligible projects in the total amount of $150,000.00 from the Community Development Block Grant Fund; to authorize the appropriation of $150,000.00, and the expenditure of $150,000.00; and to authorize expenses incurred prior to purchase order execution. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is an entitlement community and a Participating Jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the City is a current recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from HUD; and
WHEREAS, under 24 CFR §570.500(c), the City of Columbus may select organizations as subrecipients or contractors to undertake eligible Community Development Block Grant activities; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to use these funds to support local community-based organizations whose work advances HUD’s National Objectives, the City’s Consolidated Plan goals, and the City’s Opportunity Rising aspirations; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into new subrecipient agreements; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate $150,000.00 and authorize the expenditure of up to $150,000.00 from Fund 2248; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order, starting September 1, 2026; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. 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 ending December 31, 2026, the sum of $150,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 2248 Community Development Block Grant Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of up to $150,000.00 is hereby authorized in Fund 2248, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to reimburse expenses incurred prior to purchase order execution, beginning September 1, 2026, and to enter into subrecipient agreements with the organizations listed below, to carry out CDBG eligible projects:
Columbus Urban League (CUL), Safe Passages Program
Community for New Direction (CND), Violence Prevention Program
SECTION 4. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management may be required to transfer funding from one subfund to another within the Fund 2248, Community Development Block Grant Fund due to the availability of funding based on federal requirements of grants-based accounting and account coding will be provided to the City Auditor.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and authorized for expenditure, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modification associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.