Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a non-profit services contract in an amount up to $263,574.98 with Smart Columbus LLC. Smart Columbus LLC is the non-profit organization created to continue the efforts of the Smart Columbus US Department of Transportation Grant.
The mission of Smart Columbus LLC is to create an agile and collaborative innovation lab that delivers impact through thought leadership, partnership and project delivery.
● Thought leadership is developing and advocating for a point of view on the future of cities, convening like-minded cities, our community and partners to accelerate learning and imagine a different future together, and inspire future change by telling the story of the ecosystem’s work and impact and uplifting stories of impact across the region.
● Fostering an ecosystem of partnerships motivated by, invested in, and taking action toward, a shared vision through one or more of the following levels:
○ Counsel: Smart Columbus provides advice and guidance to those in the public-private-academic communities.
○ Connect partners: Smart Columbus introduces and connects businesses and individuals in our ecosystem to one another to foster collaborations.
○ Develop strategy: Smart Columbus develops a strategy for identified projects or areas of impact.
○ Build and deploy solutions: Smart Columbus builds and deploys solutions for identified projects or areas of impact.
● Deliver impact through human-centered, technology-enabled solutions co-created with the community
○ Projects include: Intersectional, New and next, Impactful, Doable, and Real
○ Under one of the following business models: Smart Columbus supports a portfolio of projects that are initiated and financially supported in different business models- these are the ways:
■ Incubation Model: The organization will proactively invest in an idea or domain area, taking it through incubation, market analysis, and product development with invested resources. This direct influence on creating a solution requires high investment but allows for building and influencing of solutions to impact a defined area of work. The projects are longer term commitments and iterative to get to impact outcomes and are funded by grants and community investment.
■ Consulting Model: This model uses Smart Columbus as a project manager on selected projects or ideas owned by existing entities, businesses, and/or partners. These engagements could be more short term and are funded by a project management fee.
● Support plans and activities related to the City’s broadband and digital equity initiatives with Smart Columbus. These funds will also be used to study and plan further efforts to scale solutions that close the digital divide in the city.
■ The City's Department of Technology has worked with the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition, a collaboration of multiple partners across the city including the Columbus Metropolitan Libraries, the YWCA, Jewish Family Services, MORPC, NDIA and others throughout the pandemic to find ways to provide affordable and quality internet to opportunity neighborhoods in the city. The city has piloted in two (2) neighborhoods during the pandemic and have evolved throughout the pilot period with different iterations. Throughout these pilots, the city and DEC have learned many of the challenges that are unique to the city. The city, via contract with Smart Columbus, will enter into a planning process for moving the initiative forward across the city.
● In 2021 current work falls into four areas of focus, with each area represents a proactive "bet" to create opportunity as a city of the future:
○ Mobility - Ensure Columbus continues to lead in smart mobility
○ Sustainability - Adoption of Climate Technologies to achieve Carbon Neutrality
○ Digitalization - Modernize the resident experience inclusively
○ Emerging - Stay ahead of emerging urban technologies
Emergency action is requested to allow Smart Columbus LLC to facilitate the continued efforts of the Smart Columbus grant and next phase without interruption.
The services included in this contract cannot be provided by existing city employees because these services are beyond the City’s current responsibility and capacity to provide.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available in the fund 7768 grant G591611for this purpose.
Contract Compliance: The vendor number is 040255 and expires 11/30/23.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a non-profit services contract with Smart Columbus LLC in an amount up to $263,574.98 to support the ongoing efforts and work of the Smart Columbus organization; to authorize the appropriation and transfers of funds within the Smart City Grant Fund; to authorize payments for expenditures beginning January 1, 2022; and to authorize the expenditure of $263,574.98 from the Smart City Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($263,574.98)
Body
WHEREAS, Smart Columbus was created through a US Department of Transportation grant; and
WHEREAS, Smart Columbus LLC, a non-profit organization, is the next phase of the work, after the end of the original grant; and
WHEREAS, Smart Columbus LLC will lead private sector elements of the Climate Action plan and Electrification efforts, as well as assist with activities related to the City's broadband and digital equity initiatives; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Smart Columbus LLC in order to facilitate the continued efforts of the Smart Columbus grant and next phase, such immediate action being necessary for the preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the sum of $35,459.65 is appropriated in Fund 7768 (Smart City Grant Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Division of Design and Construction), Grant G591611 (2016 SMART City Paul G. Allen/Vulcan Foundation Award), in Object Class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of appropriation in the amount of $225,842.25 be and is hereby authorized in Fund 7768 (Smart City Grant Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Division of Design and Construction), Grant G591611 (2016 SMART City Paul G. Allen/Vulcan Foundation Award), from Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Object Class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a non-profit service contract with Smart Columbus LLC for ongoing operational support.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $263,574.98 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7768 (Smart City Grant Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Division of Design and Construction) in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 6. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance 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. 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 the passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.