Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc., a non-profit organization, in an amount up to $225,000.00 to continue facility renovations and the build out of the new shared headquarters between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc. and the Godman Guild Association. This additional $225,000.00 will provide support for facility improvements, equipment, technology and infrastructure. This legislation will also require an advancement of funding on a predetermined schedule is also requested.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc., a non-profit organization, is dedicated to empowering Central Ohio youth through education and workforce development. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc. also works to foster a stable future for young people by matching them with a caring, adult mentor to support their education, social-emotional development, financial literacy, and career exploration opportunities that will drive long-term sustainability. The mission is integral to positive transformation creating opportunities that uplift youth and families.
Ordinance number 2565-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on September 29, 2025, authorized the Department of Development to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement in an amount up to $275,000.00 to renovate the new shared headquarters between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc. and the Godman Guild Association for the purpose of establishing a physical space to host joint programming to be used by Columbus youth and community members. This space will be used for educational programming, workforce development, and mentorship programs, in addition to career readiness and financial stability programs.
The new facility will allow for expanded programming and services to reach more youth and families in Columbus and allow for increased collaboration with local organizations.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to continue renovating for facility improvements, equipment, technology, and infrastructure to provide a functional facility that will provide access of critical resources, growth, financial coaching, workforce development, and educational supports for Columbus youth and the entire Columbus community.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $225,000.00 is available for this project from and within the Development Taxable Bond Fund 7739 within the Department of Development.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 023784 and contract compliance expires on 05/1/2027.
Title
To authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer between projects within the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Development to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement in an amount up to $225,000.00 with Big Brother’s Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc. to continue the renovation of the new downtown headquarters location; to authorize the expenditure in an amount up to $225,000.00 within the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize the advancement of funding on a predetermined schedule; and to declare an emergency. ($225,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Columbus youth through education, mentorship, and workforce development. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc. aims to provide educational programming, workforce development, and mentorship programs, in addition to career readiness and financial stability programs.
WHEREAS, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc., in partnership with the Godman Guild Association, purchased a new location in downtown Columbus for the purpose of restoring and rehabbing the facility to a functional purpose that can be utilized by Columbus youth, staff, volunteers, and the entire Columbus community; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council, per ordinance number 2565-2025, passed on 9/29/25, authorized the Department of Development to enter into a capital improvement grant in an amount up to $275,000.00 to renovate the new downtown location; and
WHEREAS, the renovated space will yield a facility that will be used for educational and workforce development programming in addition to mentorship support; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus would like to continue to provide support for the empowerment of Columbus youth, in an amount up to $225,000.00 by supporting the continued renovation of the new downtown headquarters to provide successful programming; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer between projects within the Development Taxable Bond Fund (7739) to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure in an amount up to $225,000.00 to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement in order to further assist with the renovation of the new downtown headquarters location; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the advancement of funds to the agency on a predetermined schedule; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc. in support of facility improvements, equipment, technology, and infrastructure which will provide a functional facility for youth-focused programming, 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. That the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
7739/ P200038-100000/ Tactical Urbanism (Unvoted Carryover)/$250,000/($225,000)/$25,000
7739/P441795-100000/Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio (Unvoted Carryover) /$0/$225,000/$225,000
SECTION 2. That the transfer between projects in an amount up to $225,000.00, or so much there of as may be needed is hereby authorized within Fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bond Funds) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a capital improvement grant agreement, in an amount up to $225,000.00 with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc. to continue the renovation of the new downtown headquarters. Funding will be advanced by a pre-determined schedule that will be included within the agreement.
SECTION 4. The expenditure of $225,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bond Funds), in Dept-Div 4401 (Admin), Project 441795-100000 (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all 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 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.