Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with A Step in the Right Direction (SRD) in support of its Hygiene Program. This ordinance authorizes an upfront payment to SRD to support these efforts. SRD does not currently have sufficient funds on-hand to await reimbursement for expenses incurred.
A Step in the Right Direction is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals with re-entry into their community through different programs and resources. It assists individuals through its three pillars: Health Inequalities, Family Engagement, and Workforce Development.
The Hygiene Program is designed to support low-income individuals and households by providing essential hygiene/cleaning products that promote health, dignity, and well-being. In 2026, the program aims to serve 8,000+ households and individuals, ensuring they have access to necessary items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, cleaning supplies, and other personal care products. This year, SRD looks to expand the hygiene program to serve individuals of all zip codes in Central Columbus.
FISCAL IMPACT: $25,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested in order for SRD to immediately provide these services without interruption to programming.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with A Step in the Right Direction in support of its Hygiene Program; to authorize an expenditure of $25,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is need to help individuals with re-entry into their community through different programs and resources; and
WHEREAS, the Hygiene Program is designed to support low-income individuals and households by providing essential hygiene/cleaning products that promote health, dignity, and well-being; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing support of $25,000.00 to A Step in the Right Direction in support of these needs; and
WHEREAS, $25,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's Office in that it is necessary for the Clerk to enter into a contract immediately with A Step in the Right Direction to sustain the current operations in effect, 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 City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with A Step in the Right Direction in support of its Hygiene Program.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $25,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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.