Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance appropriates $75,000.00 from the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund to the Department of Development and authorizes the expenditure of these funds through the modification of existing grant DL012983 with Lutheran Social Services (LSS) for the renovation and equipment costs for the Choice Food Pantry at its existing 1650 S. Champion Ave. food pantry site.
Ordinance 1808-2006, passed November 6, 2006, authorized a $75,000 grant (DL012983) from the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund for renovation work at the Pantry. Additional funds are now necessary to complete the work. The existing grant amount will be increased by $75,000 for a new total of $150,000 and the grant period will be extended to December 31, 2007.
In 2005 LSS food pantries served over 97,000 people. Over $2 million worth of food (more than 80,000 meals) was distributed. This legislation responds to the emergency presented by the closing of the large Hillcrest Food Pantry and a number of Westside pantries that have reduced their hours of service. LSS is preparing to handle an estimated increase in demand with an emergency plan that includes doubling their current space and extensive capital renovations and equipment purchases at its Champion Ave. site to accommodate the substantial increase in demand. The Choice Food Pantry will allow clients to select their own food. This will allow the agency to be a better steward of its donated or purchased food by eliminating the chance of giving out items that will not be used.
Emergency action is requested to avoid delays in the construction schedule.
FISCAL IMPACT: A total of $75,000.00 has been allocated for this grant increase from the Emergency Human Service Capital Fund.
Title
To approve the grant application of Lutheran Social Services seeking assistance for capital costs associated with the renovation and purchase of equipment for its Champion Ave. Food Pantry facility pursuant to Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959; to authorize the appropriation of $75,000.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund to the Department of Development; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to modify an existing grant agreement with Lutheran Social Services; to authorize the expenditure of $75,000.00 from the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($75,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Lutheran Social Services has submitted a grant application seeking financial assistance for capital costs associated with the renovation of its facility and purchase of equipment; and
WHEREAS, City Council has reviewed the grant application of Lutheran Social Services and hereby declares that Lutheran Social Services has articulated a need for emergency human service capital funds that is sufficient to justify approval of said grant; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to appropriate $75,000.00 from the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund to amend a grant with Lutheran Social Service to continue renovation of its S. Champion Ave. Food Pantry and purchase of needed equipment; and
WHEREAS, the programs operated by Lutheran Social Service include social services, affordable housing and other neighborhood initiatives; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate said funds and to provide grant assistance to Lutheran Social Services, for the 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 grant application of Lutheran Social Services seeking financial assistance to address an emergency human service need pursuant to Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 is hereby approved.
Section 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund, and from any and all sources unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007, the sum of $75,000.00 be and is hereby appropriated to the Department of Development, Department No. 44-05, Fund 232, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440508, Project 200001.
Section 3. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized and directed to modify DL012983 with Lutheran Social Services by increasing the grant amount by $75,000 and extending the grant period to December 31, 2007, all for the provision of grant assistance for the renovation and equipment costs for the Choice Food Pantry at its existing 1650 S. Champion Ave. food pantry site.
Section 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 3, the expenditure of $75,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund, Department of Development, Department No. 44-05, Fund 232, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440508, Project 200001.
Section 5. That the expenditure authorized herein is in accordance with Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Section 6. 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 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and shall 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.