Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Technology (DoT) to enter into a non-profit services contract in an amount up to $560,000.00 with Smart Columbus LLC. Smart Columbus LLC is the non-profit organization created to continue the efforts of the Smart Columbus US Department of Transportation Grant.
This contract is in addition to, and provides additional funds, to continue work authorized via ordinances 3301-2021 and 0670-2022, both of which authorized contracts between the Development Director and Smart Columbus.
Smart Columbus was established to be an agile and collaborative innovation lab delivering impact through the following elements:
● Thought leadership is developing and advocating for a point of view on the future of cities, convening like-minded cities, our community and partners to accelerate learning and imagine a different future together, and inspire future change by telling the story of the ecosystem’s work and impact and uplifting stories of impact across the region.
● Fostering an ecosystem of partnerships motivated by, invested in, and taking action toward, a shared vision through counsel; connecting partners; developing strategies; and building and deploying solutions.
● Delivering impact through human-centered, technology-enabled solutions co-created with the community. Project include intersectional; new and next; impactful, doable, and real. These projects are undertaken under the following business models:
o Incubation Model: The organization will proactively invest in an idea or domain area, taking it through incubation, market analysis, and product development with invested resources. This direct influence on creating a solution requires high investment but allows for building and influencing of solutions to impact a defined area of work. The projects are longer term commitments and iterative to get to impact outcomes and are funded by grants and community investment.
o Consulting Model: This model uses Smart Columbus as project manager on selected projects or ideas owned by existing entities, businesses and/or partners. Engagements could be more short term and are funded by a project management fee.
● Support plans and activities related to the City’s broadband and digital equity initiatives with Smart Columbus. These funds will also be used to study and plan further efforts to scale solutions that close the digital divide in the city.
The City's Department of Technology and the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition (a collaboration of organizations across the city, including the Columbus Metropolitan Libraries, the YWCA, Jewish Family Services, MORPC, NDIA, etc.) are working to find ways to provide affordable and quality internet to opportunity neighborhoods in the city. During the pandemic, the city piloted in two (2) neighborhoods, thus providing a foundation for moving forward with the program across the city.
The services being funded by this contract cannot be provided by existing city employees as they are beyond the City’s current responsibility and capacity to provide.
EMERGENCY
Emergency action is requested so that Smart Columbus LLC can find ways to provide affordable and quality internet to opportunity neighborhoods in the city without delay.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the above described services was identified in DoT’s second quarter financial report.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Vendor #: 040255, expiring 11/30/23
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into a non-profit services contract with Smart Columbus LLC in an amount up to $560,000.00 to support the ongoing efforts and work of the Smart Columbus organization; to authorize the expenditure of $560,000.00 from the Information Services Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($560,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Smart Columbus LLC, a non-profit organization, was created following award of a grant by the US Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, the city’s Department of Technology desires to enter into contract with Smart Columbus, LLC to provide services to support plans and activities related to the City’s broadband and digital equity initiatives with Smart Columbus and also to study and plan further efforts to scale solutions that close the digital divide in the city; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Technology in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Smart Columbus LLC so that Smart Columbus LLC can find ways to provide affordable and quality internet to opportunity neighborhoods in the city without delay, such immediate action being necessary for the preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Technology is hereby authorized to enter into a non-profit services agreement with Smart Columbus, LLC to provide services to support plans and activities related to the City’s broadband and digital equity initiatives with Smart Columbus and also to study and plan further efforts to scale solutions that close the digital divide in the city at a cost of up to $560,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $560,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized as shown in the attachment to this ordinance. (see 2657-2022EXP)
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service 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 ordinance.
SECTION 5: 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 6: 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.