Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Huckleberry House, Inc for their Awareness Campaign and Shelter Upgrade in support of human service programs in the amount of $48,556.02, and to authorize expenditures incurred prior to the execution of the purchase order, starting March 25, 2023.
Ordinance 0281-2022, approved January 31, 2022, authorized a grant in the amount of $72,300.00 to Huckleberry House, Inc. Half of the grant amount was advanced to the organization ($36,150.00). Toward the end of the contract term, the organization reached out for a time extension as they had not expended the total advance, nor requested the remaining balance of the agreement. This modification was inadvertently overlooked and the grant agreement expired. Huckleberry House, Inc. submitted their second payment request at the end of 2023 for the remainder of the grant, $36,150.00. Huckleberry House will refund the portion of the initial grant agreement advance that was not expended before the end of the original contract term, $12,406.02. The Department is returning to Council for approval to establish a grant agreement in the amount of the remaining balance of the original agreement.
Emergency action is requested in order to immediately provide resources necessary to sustain human services programming within vulnerable Columbus communities.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available in the Division of Administration’s 2024 General Fund budget, this ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2024 Operating Budget, Ordinance 3011-2023.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency action is requested in order to immediately provide resources necessary to sustain human services programming within vulnerable Columbus communities.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 004307 and expires 3/3/2024. Arrangements are in process with the vendor to update the expiration date prior to the current end date.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Huckleberry House, Inc. in support of human services programs; to authorize the reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the establishment of a purchase order; to authorize the expenditure of $48,556.02 from the 2024 General Fund budget; and to declare an emergency. ($48,556.02)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in disproportionate negative economic impacts in communities of color and low-income communities across the nation. These communities are experiencing overwhelming barriers to access basic needs like food, supplies and shelter during the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0281-2022, approved January 31, 2022, authorized a grant in the amount of $72,300.00 to Huckleberry House, Inc; and
WHEREAS, half of the grant amount was advanced to the organization ($36,150.00). Toward the end of the contract term, the organization reached out for a time extension as they had not expended the total advance, nor requested the remaining balance of the agreement; and
WHEREAS, this modification was inadvertently overlooked and the grant agreement expired; and
WHEREAS, Huckleberry House, Inc. submitted their second payment request at the end of 2023 for the remainder of the grant, $36,150.00; and
WHEREAS, the Department is returning to Council for approval to establish a grant agreement in the amount of the remaining balance of the original agreement; 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 grant agreement to sustain human services programming, for the immediate 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 Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Huckleberry House, Inc. in an amount up to $48,556.02, and to authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $48,556.02 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund) , Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), in object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 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 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.