Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with AVENEU in support of its Stabilization Project for food access. This ordinance authorizes an upfront payment to AVENEU to support these efforts, as it does not currently have sufficient funds on-hand to await reimbursement for expenses incurred.
AVENEU is a community grocery and food access space in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood of Columbus, designed to expand affordable access to healthy food through a membership-based model. The program primarily serves low- to moderate-income residents, including SNAP/EBT users, families facing food insecurity, and individuals with limited access to fresh food options. Through subsidized memberships, participants receive monthly food credits that increase their purchasing power and improve consistency of access. Requested funds will support a six-month pilot to launch and stabilize operations: Funding will subsidize community memberships, reducing financial barriers to entry. Funds will also support staffing to maintain consistent store hours, customer service, and inventory management. The pilot will allow AVENEU to test demand, refine operations, and measure outcomes.
City Council is proposing $55,000.00 for the Stabilization Project.
FISCAL IMPACT: $55,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An emergency designation is requested in order for AVENEU to ensure immediate service for food distribution to households in need.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into an advance payment grant agreement with AVENEU in support of its Stabilization Project for food access; to authorize the payment of food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses; to authorize the expenditure of $55,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($55,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is need to provide support and resources to our City’s low-to-moderate income families; and
WHEREAS, AVENEU is a community grocery and food access space in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood of Columbus, designed to expand affordable access to healthy food through a membership-based model; and
WHEREAS, the organization runs the Stabilization Project for food access to provide for these needs; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing support of $55,000.00 in support of this program; and
WHEREAS, $55,000.00 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 AVENEU to ensure immediate service for food distribution to households in need; 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 AVENEU in support of its Stabilization Project for food access.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $55,000.00 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, and that any and all of the expenditure so authorized may b used for the purpose of paying food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses.
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.