Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Franklinton Farms in support of its AmeriCorps Workforce & Food Access Program.
Franklinton Farms’ mission is to grow and share food, create beauty, and build community health through urban agriculture.
For this program, ten AmeriCorps members will grow and distribute fresh produce across 12 urban farm sites, maintain Franklinton Farms’ free 24/7 U-Pick Garden, and support its sliding-scale Weekly Harvest Pack Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA). The program primarily serves low-to-moderate income households facing barriers to healthy food access while also providing workforce development training in urban agriculture and community engagement.
In 2026, AmeriCorps members will help cultivate and distribute approximately $160,000 in fresh produce, serve at least 50 low-to-moderate income CSA households, and engage 400-700 families through the U-Pick Garden. The program will support 3,500+ volunteer hours and strengthen neighborhood food infrastructure. Success will be measured by documented food production value, number of households served, volunteer engagement, and successful completion of AmeriCorps service terms.
City Council is proposing $20,000.00 for the workforce and food access program.
FISCAL IMPACT: $20,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested in order for Franklinton Farms to ensure no interruption in food distribution to households in need.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Franklinton Farms in support of its AmeriCorps Workforce & Food Access Program; to authorize an appropriation of $15,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the expenditure of $20,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is need to provide support and resources to our City’s low-to-moderate income families; and
WHEREAS, Franklinton Farms’ mission is to grow and share food, create beauty, and build community health through urban agriculture; and
WHEREAS, the organization runs the AmeriCorps Workforce & Food Access Program to provide for these needs; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing support of $20,000.00 in support of this program; and
WHEREAS, $20,000.00 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 Franklinton Farms to sustain the current food distribution operations in effect; 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 a grant agreement with Franklinton Farms in support of its AmeriCorps Workforce & Food Access Program.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $15,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $20,000.00 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 4. 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 5. That the distribution of food and beverages associated with the execution of this grant agreement are deemed to be for a proper public purpose
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 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.