Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes and directs the Development Director to enter into a contract with Africentric Personal Development Shop, Inc. (APDS) to support the Africentric Freedom From Abusive Relationships (AFAR) Program. The purpose of this program is to address the high incidence of domestic violence within Franklin County and specifically within the Driving Park and Near Eastside areas. The program's target population is African American male batterers 18 yrs. and older. Enrollees are referred through the Franklin County Municipal Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Adult Parole Authority.
The program provides up to eighteen (18) sessions (2 -3 hrs ea.) and a minimum of four (4) individual counseling sessions. The APDS has successfully operated the AFAR Program for seven years with an increasing waiting list for their services. The ADAMH Board funded the program at $48,052.00 in 2006 and a commitment of $40,947.00 is projected for 2007. That amount combined with City support will allow 137 customers to be served.
This ordinance is presented as an emergency to facilitate processing of program expenses in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract will be allocated from the 2007 General Fund.
Title
To authorize and direct the Development Director to enter into a contract with Africentric Personal Development Shop, Inc. to support the AFAR Program; to authorize the expenditure of $25,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into a contract with Africentric Personal Development Shop, Inc. (APDS) to support the Africentric Freedom From Abusive Relationships (AFAR) Program; and
WHEREAS, this program addresses the high incidence of domestic violence within Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, program enrollees are primarily African American male batterers over 18 yrs. old and referred through the Franklin County Municipal Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Adult Parole Authority; and
WHEREAS, the ADAMH Board committed $48,052.00 to the program in 2006 and $40,947.00 in 2007, which when combined with support from the City will allow the agency to serve 137 enrollees in 2007 or 45 more than the previous year; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with APDS all for the 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 Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Africentric Personal Development Shop, Inc. to support the Africentric Freedom From Abusive Relationships (AFAR) Program.
Section 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $25,000.00, or so much thereof as necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Development, Neighborhood Services Division, Division No. 44-05, General Fund, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440280.
Section 3. That this contract is made pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, as amended.
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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.