Explanation
BACKGROUND:
Columbus Public Health received additional grant carryover funds for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program, referenced in Ordinance No. 0441-2024. This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to modify an existing contract with LifeCare Alliance for the provision of food bank and home delivered meals for eligible Ending the Epidemic (EHE) recipients. The term of the contract is March 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, with funding based on vendor estimates of annual funding requirements for allowable services. LifeCare Alliance is a not for profit agency and is exempt from bidding according to bidding requirements of the City Code 329.30.
This contract was originally set at a price point of $25,000.00 and is being increased by $150,000.00 for a new total amount of $175,000.00. The contract with LifeCare Alliance is being modified due to Columbus Public Health receiving a partial award from the funder, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Furthermore, services are expanded with Lifecare Alliance to serve more EHE recipients and meet program deliverables with carryover funds. This modification will allow the additional provision of food items (frozen/hot/cold/fresh/grocery) at least one time to Ending the HIV Epidemic clients that are approved to receive services. Price point for all services are by a set client count in an approved budget. LifeCare Alliance has an operational food bank program with existing services ancillary to Ending the Epidemic service needs.
LifeCare Alliance CC-006078: contract increased by $150,000.00 for a new total amount not to exceed $175,000.00.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency in order to ensure that quality medical care continues to be available to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS and to ensure timely payment to providers.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This contract is entirely funded by a grant award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This grant does not generate revenue nor require a city match.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to modify an existing contract with LifeCare Alliance for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program, for the provision of food bank and home delivered meals for eligible Ending the Epidemic (EHE) recipients for the period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025, to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Board of Health has a need to modify an existing contract with LifeCare Alliance for the provision of services allowable under the grant, for the for the provision of food bank and home delivered meals for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) grant program for the period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025; and
WHEREAS, LifeCare Alliance has the expertise; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to modify a contract with LifeCare Alliance in order to ensure continuity of services for Ending the HIV Epidemic clients 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized to enter into a contract modification with Lifecare Alliance, for a total amount not to exceed $175,000.00, for HIV-related services to persons with HIV or AIDS in central Ohio, for the period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025. That Columbus City Council acknowledges and defines as operating costs inherent to the mission of LifeCare Alliance the provision of food which is also authorized by the grant funder, Health Resources and Services Administration, (HRSA). Any expenditure authorized by this Ordinance may be spent toward the payment of food and non-alcoholic beverages. Expenses incurred prior to the creation of a purchase order may be reimbursed. However, in no case may food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses incurred prior to the effective date of this ordinance be reimbursed. City Council declares that the expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses authorized by this ordinance to be for a proper public purpose.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Health special revenue fund , Fund No. 2250, object class 03 per the attached accounting document.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the city's financial records.
SECTION 5. That for 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.