Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to extend the not-for-profit service contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) ORD 1977-2025 passed on July 23, 2025 for an additional $249,012.38 until June 30, 2027 to assist with Gun Violence Reduction Strategies, Violence Reduction Landscape Analysis, and Technical Assistance.
The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) is an organization that works to reduce incarceration and violence, improve the outcomes of system-involved youth and adults, and increase the capacity and expertise of the organizations that serve these individuals. NICJR provides technical assistance (TA), consulting, research, organizational development, strategic planning, and advocacy in the fields of juvenile and criminal justice, youth development, and violence prevention. NICJR works with an array of organizations, including government agencies, philanthropic foundations, and other nonprofit organizations. NICJR’s work will include a landscape analysis, cost of gun violence analysis, discovery meetings, implementation support, violence reduction strategic planning, workshops, and communication strategies. The City does not currently have the human resource capacity to perform the services contemplated by this not-for-profit service contract.
The National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR)
Vendor #049118
Contract Compliance Expiration Date - June 30, 2027
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $249,012.38 from the General Fund for this contract.
Emergency Designation is requested to avoid any delay in providing critical assistance and support as it relates to violence prevention and the reduction of gun violence in the community.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention to extend the not-for-profit service contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to coordinate efforts to reduce gun violence and violence prevention amongst youth in the community; to authorize the transfer of $249,012.38 within the general fund; to authorize the expenditure of $249,012.38 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($249,012.38)
Body
WHEREAS, Gun Violence Reduction Strategy Technical Assistance is needed to develop, implement, and refine effective strategies as they relate to violence prevention and the reduction of gun violence; and
WHEREAS, research is needed to analyze the violence reduction landscape and the cost of gun violence; and
WHEREAS, technical assistance is needed to support the Office of Violence Prevention in developing a clear, compelling brand and cohesive communications and public relations strategy; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Violence Prevention in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to extend a service agreement with NICJR to avoid any delay in providing critical assistance in the reduction of gun violence and violence prevention, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention is hereby authorized to extend the not-for-profit service contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) authorized by ORD 1977-2025 passed on 7/23/2025 .
SECTION 2. That the transfer of appropriation of $249,012.38, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized within the General Fund 1000 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $249,012.38, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized from the General Fund 1000 in Object Class 03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of the Office of Violence Prevention, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.30 relating to awarding not-for-profit contracts.
SECTION 8. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.