Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with United Way of Central Ohio, Inc. in support of Thanksgiving Back 2026. This ordinance authorizes an upfront payment to United Way of Central Ohio, Inc. to support these efforts, as it does not currently have sufficient funds on-hand to await reimbursement for expenses incurred.
The United Way of Central Ohio partners annually with NBC4 WCMH-TV and Urban One for the Thanksgiving Back Turkey Drive to provide holiday meals and turkeys to local families in need. The Thanksgiving Back program intends to provide over 2,500 turkeys and side dishes (pending final donations) to residents at two drive-through events on November 19th and November 21st. (1,200 at the first event and 1,300 at the second event).
City Council is proposing $20,000.00 for this effort.
FISCAL IMPACT: $20,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested, as the funding is necessary in order to have supplies ready for events on November 19th and November 21st, 2026.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with United Way of Central Ohio, Inc., a not-for-profit entity, in support of Thanksgiving Back 2026; to authorize the expenditure of $20,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the expenditure of funds for the payment of reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses; and to declare an emergency ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is need to provide support and resources to our City’s residents in need; and
WHEREAS, United Way of Central Ohio, Inc., a not-for-profit entity, partners annually with NBC4 WCMH-TV and Urban One for the Thanksgiving Back Turkey Drive to provide holiday meals and turkeys to local families in need; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing support of $20,000.00 in support of this program; and
WHEREAS, $20,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's Office in that it is necessary for the Clerk to enter into a contract immediately with United Way of Central Ohio, Inc. to ensure that resources are available for the events on November 19 and November 21, 2026; 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 an advance payment grant agreement with United Way of Central Ohio, Inc. in support of Thanksgiving Back 2026.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $20,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, 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 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 the distribution of food and beverages associated with the execution of this grant agreement are deemed to be for a proper public purpose.
SECTION 5. 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.