Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklinton Development Association to acquire 89 West Park Avenue in Franklinton.
Since 2019, Little Bottoms Free Store has operated at the property, providing diapers, wipes, and baby clothes to Franklin County families with young children (ages up to 3 years old). In addition to providing basic needs, Little Bottoms is creating a community where families can have a safe place to relax, visit, build friendships, and discover community resources and agencies. Their goal is to create a supportive community, providing basic needs, and sharing resources.
The grant will allow the Franklinton Development Association to acquire the building and make it a permanent home for the Little Bottoms Free Store. Additional space in the building will be made available for similar organizations serving the community. The expenditure of $550,000 is authorized by this ordinance for the purchase of the building and to pay cost related to due diligence and building improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $550,000.00 in the Development Taxable Bonds Fund.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency Legislation is requested to expedite agreement before the end of 2024 to comply with timelines established by a purchase contract.
Title
To amend the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of cash and appropriation with the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklinton Development Association to perform due diligence, perform improvements, and acquire 89 West Park Avenue; to authorize the expenditure of $550,000.00 from the Development Taxable Bonds Fund; to authorize expenditures prior to the purchase order; to advance funding per a predetermined schedule; and to declare an emergency. ($550,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Little Bottoms Free Store is a Franklinton non-profit organization providing diapers, wipes, baby clothes, and similar items to new families throughout Franklin County. They operate a free store at 89 West Park Avenue which also serves as an important safe space and resource center for these families; and
WHEREAS, 89 West Park Avenue is currently listed for sale, thereby making the long term use of the building by Little Bottoms Free Store uncertain;
WHEREAS, the Franklinton Development Association is a non-profit community development association that serves Franklinton in multiple capacities, including the development of affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, Franklinton Development Association has relevant experience with their purchase and renovation of the commercial building located at 1089-1091 West Broad Street, a building they own and lease to other community based organizations; and
WHEREAS, the Franklinton Development Association requests funds to acquire the building at 89 West Park Avenue to ensure the continued operation of the Little Bottoms Free Store and to make renovations to improve the building and make space for other organizations serving the community;
WHEREAS, funds are currently available in the Development Taxable Bonds Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of funds within and an expenditure from the Development Taxable Bonds Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Land Redevelopment Office, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Franklinton Development Association so as to expedite the execution of the agreement before the end of 2024 in order to comply with timelines established by a purchase contract 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 2024 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1907-2024 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /C.I.B. as Amended
Fund / Project / Project Name / C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
7739 / P200026-100000 / Land Bank Properties (Unvoted Carryover) / $500,000.00/ ($500,000.00) / $0.00
7739 / P782011-100000 / Lead Hazard Reduction (Unvoted Carryover) / $92,548 / ($50,000.00) / $42,548
7739 / P441739-100000 / FDA Acquisition (Unvoted Carryover) / $0.00 / $550,000.00 / $550,000.00
7739 / P200035-100000 / City Council - Community Initiatives (Councilmanic ITSA Supported) / $5,000,000.00 / ($550,000.00) / $4,450,000.00
7739 / P200026-100000 / Land Bank Properties (Councilmanic ITSA Supported) / $0.00 / $550,000.00 / $550,000.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Franklinton Development Association to purchase the property located at 89 West Park Avenue (010-067057 and 010-054060) and to perform due diligence and improvements to the building and to pay for expenditures prior to the purchase order and is authorized to advance funds per a schedule to be included in the agreement.
SECTION 3. For the property stated in Section 2, that the Director of Development is hereby authorized to execute any agreement, deed restriction, or mortgage to ensure compliance with program rules and future use of the property and to release such restriction or mortgage upon compliance.
SECTION 4. That the transfer of $550,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bond Fund), Dept-Div 44-11 (Land Redevelopment) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for the purpose as stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $550,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bond fund), Project P441739-100000, Dept. 44-11 (Land Redevelopment), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modification associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 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 administering said project that the project has been completed and 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.