Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes up to $500,000.00 from the general capital improvement fund for targeted distribution of Council's Property Renovation Funds through the Hilltop Home Repair Program. The funds provided will be used to provide financial assistance to eligible homeowners for exterior home improvements in a targeted area within the Hilltop neighborhood.
This funding reflects Council's ongoing commitment to investing in the revitalization of our City's neighborhoods through pride and home ownership, especially through the Property Renovation Fund established by Council in the 2012 capital improvements budget. Eligible homeowners are those who live within the boundaries described in Exhibit A as determined by the Department of Development.
The Department of Development Housing Division will partner with Homes on the Hill CDC (HOTH), a non-profit community development corporation dedicated to creating a community that welcomes and cares for all people. Located in Columbus Ohio, HOTH works to improve the economic and social quality of life for residents of the Westside. HOTH will work with the Housing Division to market the program, identify potential grant recipients and coordinate the application process with the applicants. The Hilltop Home Repair Program assists homeowners with exterior repairs while facilitating pride and responsible ownership within the following targeted area (identified in Exhibit A):
N: Railroad Tracks
S: Parcels located to the immediate S. of Sullivant Ave.
E: Fairmont Ave. to Lechner & parcels located to the E. of Lechner to W. Broad to Wheatland Ave.
W: Parcels located to the immediate W. of S. Hague Ave.
Emergency action is necessary to allow the Department of Development to begin the immediate implementation of this portion of the Hilltop Home Repair Program.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are being transferred within the Housing Preservation Fund, Fund 782.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Homes on the Hill CDC, a not-for-profit organization, for services related to the Hilltop Home Repair Program; to amend the 2013 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of cash between projects within the same fund; to authorize the expenditure of up to $500,000.00 from the Housing Preservation Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, City Council is committed to investing in the revitalization of our City's neighborhoods through pride and home ownership; and
WHEREAS, as a result of that commitment, City Council established the Property Renovation Fund in the 2012 capital improvements budget; and
WHEREAS, Homes on the Hill CDC, an Ohio Non-Profit Corporation is transforming the Westside through pride and responsible ownership; and will assist the Division of Housing with the marketing and identification of eligible homeowners who live within the defined boundaries; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Homes on the Hill Community Development Corp. to allow the immediate implementation of the Hilltop Home Repair Program project to avoid causing delays in the availability of the program, thereby preserving 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 Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Homes on the Hill CDC, an Ohio Non-Profit Corporation, to implement a portion of the Property Renovation Fund and work with in collaboration with the Housing Division to provide targeted financial assistance to eligible homeowners through the Hilltop Home Repair Program.
Section 2. That the 2013 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 0645-2013 be amended to provide sufficient authority for this project as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current CIB / Amended Amount / Amended CIB
782 / 782001-100001 / Rebuilding Lives (carryover) / $495,930/ ($495,930) / $0
782/782003-100000 / Emergency Shelter Repair (carryover) / $14,308 / ($4,070) / $10,238
782 / 782001-100008 / Housing Preservation, Westside Home Improvements (carryover) / $0 / $500,000 / $500,000
782 / 782001-100008 / Housing Preservation, Westside Home Improvements (new funding) / $500,000 / ($500,000) / $0
782 / 782001-100001 / Rebuilding Lives (new funding) / $500,000 / $495,930 / $995,930
782/782003-100000/ Emergency Shelter Repair (new funding) / $700,000 / $4,070 / $704,070
Section 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer cash and appropriation within Fund 782, Housing Preservation as follows:
Transfer from:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01 / OCA / Amount
782 / 782001-100001 / Rebuilding Lives (carryover) / 06 / 782101 / $495,929
782 / 782003-100000 / Emergency Shelter Repair (carryover) / 06 / 782003 / $4,071
Transfer to:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01 / OCA / Amount
782 / 782001-100008 / Housing Preservation, Westside Home Improvements / 06 / 782008 / $500,000
Section 4. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $500,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Department of Development, Housing Division, Division 44-10, Housing Preservation Fund, Fund 782, Object Level One 06, Object Level Three 6616, OCA Code 782008, Project 782001-100008.
Section 5. That the expenditure of capital improvements budget funds from this authorization will be used to provide home repair services to correct substandard and deteriorating conditions of houses within a defined service area (Exhibit A).
Section 6. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
Section 7. 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 8. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administrating said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
Section 9. 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.