Explanation
Background:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a grant agreement with Lower Lights Ministries (LLM) to support the Community Learning Center drop-in afterschool program and Teen Transitional Employment Program (TTEP). The two center programs are in alignment with the Envision Hilltop Plan implementation to improve the quality of life for residents.
Founded in 1991 in the Franklinton neighborhood, Lower Lights Ministries (LLM) is a holistic community development organization dedicated to fostering strong families and flourishing communities. LLM takes a whole-family approach to services, offering supportive housing programs, youth enrichment services, and a wide variety of outreach initiatives. In 2023, LLM expanded beyond Franklinton into the Central Hilltop neighborhood, investing $2.5 million on Sullivant Avenue to transform a blighted building into the Child Enrichment Center, and securing a long-term lease for the Community Learning Center located just across the street.
Grant funding for the programming may include the purchase of food and/or non-alcoholic beverage items, which serve the public for the purpose of administering programming. Food and/or non-alcoholic beverage purchases will be subject to what is allowable in the grant agreement. Any cost of food and/or non-alcoholic beverage incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed. Costs will not exceed $15 per person and any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of up to $32,448.00 from the General Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a grant agreement with Lower Lights Ministries (LLM) in support of the Envision Hilltop Plan implementation; and to authorize the expenditure from the General Fund; and to authorize the payment of non-food related program expenses; and to allow food and/or non-alcoholic beverage expenses incurred after the effective date of the ordinance. ($32,448.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Lower Lights Ministries (LLM) is working in alignment with the Envision Hilltop Plan - to support improvement to college and career readiness.
WHEREAS, food and/or beverage purchases will be subject to what is allowable in the respective grant agreements. Costs will not exceed $15 per person and any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited. Any cost of food and non-alcoholic beverage incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Lower Lights Ministries; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods is authorized to enter into a non-profit grant agreement with Lower Lights Ministries (LLM) in support of programming that aligns with the Envision Hilltop Plan to improve the quality of life for residents starting January 1, 2026.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of up to $32,448.00, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That Columbus City Council deems the expenditure of food and non-alcoholic beverages to be a proper public purpose. Any cost of food and non-alcoholic beverage incurred before the effective date of the ordinance will not be reimbursed. Food and beverage related expenditures will be subject to what is allowable in the grant agreement and shall not exceed $15 per person.
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 City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance and to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that these contracts are properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City’s financial records.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.