Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a not-for-profit services contract with South Side Thrive Collaborative (SSTC) to provide outreach and engagement for 2026 Public Safety Week community-based public safety and neighborhood improvement activities between the City and residents of the South Side neighborhoods.
South Side Thrive Collaborative (SSTC) has agreed to serve as the fiscal manager for 2026 Public Safety Week outreach and engagement. This nonprofit organization is a dedicated network of local leaders and organizations working together to identify and remove the interrelated barriers preventing upward mobility for low-income individuals and families living on the South Side of Columbus. The network envisions a diverse and vibrant South Side where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
South Side Thrive Collaborative (SSTC) intends to partner with Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy for the 2026 Public Safety Week, a week-long series of community events focused on safety, connection and collaboration. Now in its fourth year, this year’s events will take place in the South Side. Public Safety Week is an opportunity to learn more about the people and programs working every day to keep Columbus safe. Funding will help allow SSTC to engage South Side residents in at least five community-based public safety and neighborhood improvement activities. South siders will hear from local first responders, get connected to safety resources and explore how they can play a role in building stronger, safer neighborhoods. In this partnership, SSTC, would support and facilitate outreach and engagement for activities between the City and residents of the South Side neighborhoods during Public Safety Week 2026. Activities also include distributing safety products like smoke detectors and gun locks, a community conversation, family fun festival, and litter clean-up.
With support from the City, SSTC will increase residents’ access to public safety information and resources by creating opportunities to interact directly with and strengthen collaboration among residents, first responders, City staff, and community and neighborhood organizations while promoting ongoing resident involvement in building safer, cleaner, and more connected South Side neighborhoods.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested in order to ensure a timely issuance of funds in support of the program, which will begin on the week of October 19th, 2026. Upfront funding is needed to ensure that the program can be effectively implemented without financial constraints for operations and supplies.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this agreement is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a not-for-profit services contract with South Side Thrive Collaborative (SSTC) to provide outreach and engagement for 2026 Public Safety Week community-based public safety and neighborhood improvement activities between the City and residents of the South Side neighborhoods; to authorize an expenditure and appropriation within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, South Side Thrive Collaborative (SSTC) empowers the community through a cooperative model that works to identify and remove the interrelated barriers preventing upward mobility for low-income individuals and families living on the South Side of Columbus.; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council seeks to support Columbus’ residents across all neighborhoods, and the organization’s mission furthers those goals; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Clerk's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Clerk to enter into a not-for-profit services contract with South Side Thrive Collaborative (SSTC) to provide outreach and engagement for 2026 Public Safety Week community-based public safety and neighborhood improvement activities between the City and residents of the South Side neighborhoods as imminent and City support is needed in order to award the funds, 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 City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a not-for-profit services contract with South Side Thrive Collaborative (SSTC), in the amount of $25,000, to provide outreach and engagement for 2026 Public Safety Week community-based public safety and neighborhood improvement activities between the City and residents of the South Side neighborhoods.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the appropriation of $25,000.00, or so much thereof as necessary, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $25,000.00, or so much thereof as necessary, 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 this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes relating to the process for awarding not-for-profit service agreements.
SECTION 5. That funds shall be paid in advance to the South Side Thrive Collaborative (SSTC) in order for the organization to have the resources necessary for timely support for outreach and engagement activities.
SECTION 6. That the distribution of food and beverages associated with the execution of this not-for-profit services contract are deemed to be for a proper public purpose.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, the 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.