Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to provide financial support to Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation's Adopt-a-Center Program. Adopt-a-Center is an annual community initiative led by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation that brings holiday joy and essential resources to families across Columbus. Through partnerships with local businesses, civic groups, and individual donors, the program “adopts” more than 30 Columbus Recreation and Parks community centers and programs each year to provide warm meals, winter clothing, hygiene items, toys, and household essentials to residents in need. In 2024, Adopt-a-Center served over 8,000 Columbus residents by distributing more than 6,500 meals and thousands of gifts to youth, families, and seniors. The program helps ensure that every family, regardless of income, can celebrate the holiday season. By engaging volunteers and donors citywide, Adopt-a-Center fosters a stronger, more compassionate community while supporting the mission of connecting people through nature, wellness, and creativity.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, subfund 100018.
REASON FOR EMERGENCY: The Adopt-a-Center program takes place before the holidays and during the holidays. If this legislation is not passed on an emergency basis, funds may not be available until after the program concludes. To provide financial support proactively, emergency designation is required.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter a grant agreement with Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation; to authorize an expenditure from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($15,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the mission of Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation is to connect the people of our community through the power of nature, wellness, and creativity; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation serves to support the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department's philanthropic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, each year, the Recreation and Parks Department provides meals, hygiene items, winter coats, and clothing for families, as well as holiday toys for kids through the Adopt-a-Center program; and
WHEREAS, according to the recreation and Parks Department's official website, 26 of the Department's 28 community centers around the City are located in impoverished neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City council is pleased to support Columbus residents and families in need; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation as they are seeking up-front financial support to ensure that the Adopt-a-Center Program is successful in time for a uniquely challenging holiday season, if this legislation is not passed on an emergency basis, funds may not be available until after the program concludes, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter a grant agreement with Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation in support of the Adopt-a-Center Program.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $15,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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.