Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to accept and execute a reimbursable Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Grant, in an amount up to $1,424,543.00, from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The grant will be utilized by the Department of Development and Columbus Public Health. The grant term ends June 30, 2025.
The ODH-RRP grant will allow the department to continue to create lead-safe housing in high-risk zip codes by conducting lead-safe renovations on windows, doors, and porches in homes built before 1978. These grant funds may be used in conjunction with other Division of Housing program funds to address both interior and exterior lead issues.
Working with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, grant funds will be used to fund training for aspiring contractors to receive their RRP certification thereby increasing the number of small to medium sized RRP contractors and strengthening the local lead hazard control workforce. In partnership with Columbus Public Health (CPH), grant funds will be used to increase knowledge of the importance of blood lead testing for medical professionals and caregivers. CPH will also increase awareness of lead hazards and prevention practices.
Columbus City Code (CCC) 111.14 states that “All programs which award loans or grants of more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) must submit legislation for approval to city council”; CCC 329.18 states, “No contract greater than $50,000.00 awarded under this section shall be effective until approved by ordinance of city council; and CCC 329.09 states “After agreeing upon the terms of a modification, the city agency shall submit legislation to city council requesting approval of the modification…”
This legislation will authorize the Director of Development to enter into grant agreements with homeowners if the grant amount is greater than $5,000.00, to create a purchase order in the name of the contractor and to do so if the amount is greater than $50,000.00, and to modify a grant agreement as needed to carry out the purposes of the grant program, without having to return to Council for each project This authorization allows the department to expend the funds in a timely manner and provides program flexibility in the event of unforeseen conditions.
The cost of remediation work in a residence is typically under $50,000.00. However, there may be instances where the cost is greater than $50,000.00. Remediation includes removal of mold, lead, and other similar toxins. The department has a list of prequalified contractors who, through a bid rotation system, bid on the work under the Lead Safe Columbus Grant Program. After a bidder is chosen from the public bidding process, the department enters into a grant agreement with the homeowner for the work and creates a purchase order in the name of the contractor to pay the contractor directly.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to allow for the execution of the grant agreement and the appropriation and expenditure of funds so that the funds can be fully encumbered and expended within the term of the grant. Failure to do so may result in funds being returned, lead remediation not done, and increases in health issues related to continued exposure to lead.
FISCAL IMPACT: This legislation requests the appropriation and expenditure of $1,424,543.00 from the General Government Grant Fund (Fund 2220). The grant number shall be determined after the grant is executed by the parties.
$1,176,500.00 of the grant is appropriated in the Department of Development, of which $1,000,000.00 will be put an Auditors Certificate Purchase Order (ACPO) to be expended for RRP work and $176,500.00 shall be available in the budget for the purchase of goods and services, as required by Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
$248,043.00 of the grant is to be appropriated and expended by Columbus Public Health, all for goods and services, as required by Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Director of the Department of Development to accept and execute a reimbursable grant agreement, up to $1,424,543.00, from the Ohio Department of Health; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure up to $1,176,500.00 for the Department of Development in the General Governmental Grant fund; to authorize the Director of Department of Development to execute Grant Agreements with homeowners for grant amounts greater than $5,000.00, and to approve purchase orders with selected contractors if the purchase order is greater than $50,000.00, and to modify a grant agreement without having to return to City Council for each project; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure up to $248,043.00 for Columbus Public Health in the General Government Grant fund; to authorize the expenditure of all funds effective the start date of the grant; and to declare an emergency. ($1,424,543.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development seeks to accept and execute a Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Grant agreement up to $1,424,543.00 from the Ohio Department of Health; and
WHEREAS, the ODH-RRP grant, combined with two other grants from HUD, provide $10 million for lead remediation; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate, expend, and receive reimbursement for expenditures from the Ohio Department of Health for the Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Grant in an amount up to $1,424,543.00 for use by the Department of Development and Columbus Public Health; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to for the Director of the Department of Development to have the authority to execute Grant Agreements over $5,000.00, approve purchase orders over $50,000.00, and modify grant agreements without returning to Council each time to allow timely expenditure of the grant funds and provide program flexibility in the event of unforeseen conditions; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Departments of Development and Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Development to accept the grant and execute the agreement and the appropriation and expenditure of funds so that the funds can be fully encumbered and expended within the term of the grant because failure to do so may result in funds being returned, lead remediation not done, and increases in health issues related to continued exposure to lead, 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. Authorizes the Department of Development to accept and execute a reimbursable Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Grant agreement, in an amount up to $1,424,543.00, from the Ohio Department of Health; authorizes the expenditure of funds effective the start date of the grant by the Director of the Department of Development and Commissioner of Columbus Public Health; authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to execute grant agreements with homeowners for grants greater than $5,000.00, to approve purchase orders with selected contractors for amounts over $50,000.00, and to modify grant agreements funded from this grant.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in Fund 2220 (General Government Grant Fund) and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the grant period, the sum of $1,424,543.00 is appropriated upon receipt of an executed grant agreement in Fund 2220 (General Government Grant Fund), Dept-Div 4410 (Housing) and Dept-Div 5001 (Admin), Project/Grant number to be determined, per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $1,176,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2220 (General Government Grant Fund), Dept-Div 4410 (Housing), Project/Grant number to be determined and $248,043.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2220 (General Government Grant Fund), Dept-Div 5501 (Admin), Project/Grant number to be determined per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance
SECTION 4. Authorizes the Director of Development to accept Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Grant reimbursements from the Ohio Department of Health in an amount up to $1,424,543.00 for eligible expenses related to the grant.
SECTION 5. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 6. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.