Explanation
This ordinance will authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into a not-for-profit service agreement with Community for New Direction, Incorporated in the amount of $500,000.00 to support the Violence Intervention Program over the next year. Funding would be used for year-round violence-prevention interventions, including safe passage support that combine proactive outreach, consistent engagement, and strategic interventions. Flexibility is key, as emergencies or shifting priorities may arise, but this structure enables a balanced, sustainable approach to supporting at-risk youth throughout the summer. These are specific services to the public which the existing staff in the Office of Violence Prevention cannot provide.
Community for New Direction (CND) will provide Safe Passage services to support student safety during critical school dismissal periods. Safe Passage involves trained Violence Intervention Specialists being physically present at identified schools during dismissal to monitor student transitions from school grounds into the surrounding community. Interventionists will proactively engage students to promote conflict de-escalation, discourage fighting, and encourage positive decision-making. Staff will also position themselves along identified routes and areas of concern to ensure students are safely navigating away from the school and avoiding potentially unsafe environments. CND will prioritize Safe Passage coverage during high-risk transition periods, including the days leading up to and immediately following extended school breaks, specifically Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. Additional Safe Passage services will be deployed as needed, based on school or community safety concerns, incident trends, or at the request of the Office of Violence Prevention. Through this strategy, CND aims to reduce incidents of youth violence, increase adult visibility and support, and create a safer environment for students during dismissal times.
Community for New Direction Incorporation
Contract Compliance Number: 005361
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: February 28,2027
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is being requested so that the contract can be entered into in early March to prevent a lapse in violence interruption services being provided to communities in need.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in the amount of $500,000.00 is available and appropriated for the payment of this expenditure in Fund 63920 within the Office of Violence Prevention as noted in the attached “Then and Now Certificate” as approved by the City Auditor .
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with the Community for New Direction Incorporated for services related to the implementation of the 2026 Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program; to authorize the transfer of appropriation within the General Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $500,000.00 from General Fund; to authorize expenses incurred prior to purchase order execution; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into a not-for-profit services contract with Community for New Direction Incorporated for services related to the Neighborhood Violence Intervention (NVI) Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of appropriation in within the General Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $500,000.00 from the General Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order, starting March 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Community for New Direction Incorporated , provided Services to the City of Columbus, and,
WHEREAS, after these services were rendered, the City received an invoice for which a purchase order, with a prior certification of availability of funds by the City Auditor attached, had not been obtained; and,
WHEREAS, Section 5705.41 (D)(1) of the Ohio Revised Code provides that in certain circumstances a political subdivision may authorize payment on a contract executed without prior certification by the City Auditor; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council now has before it a certificate from the City Auditor certifying there was at the time of making the contract and at the time of the execution of such certificate a sufficient sum appropriated for the purpose of such contract and in the treasury or in process of collection to the credit of an appropriate fund free from any encumbrances (a “then and now certificate”); and,
WHEREAS, less than thirty days have passed since the City Council’s receipt of the certificate from the City Auditor; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to satisfy the obligations of the contract
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Violence Prevention in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to enter into a contract with the Community for New Direction Incorporated for services related to the Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program, to ensure these needed services continue, and to present this ordinance to the City Auditor to issue a warrant in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.41(D)(1), all for the immediate preservation of 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 Office of Violence Prevention OVP is hereby authorized to enter into a service contract with Community for New Direction in an amount up to $500,000.00 to continue the violence prevention interventionists staffing and to authorize expenses incurred prior to purchase order execution, beginning March 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. That the transfer and expenditure of $500,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed regarding the action authorized in Sections 1, is hereby authorized from the General Fund 1000, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.30 relating to awarding not-for-profit contracts.
SECTION 4. 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 legislation.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
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 City Council hereby acknowledges receipt of the “then and now certificate” from the City Auditor and authorizes and directs the City Auditor to authorize payment to the Community for New Direction Incorporated per invoice approved by the Department Director (or designee) in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 to the Community for New Direction Incorporated.
SECTION 8. That for the reasons stated in the preamble here to, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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.