Background
This ordinance modifies the service agreement with Columbus Next Generation Corporation originally authorized by ordinance 1268-2021 and modified by ordinances 3315-2021, 2279-2022, 2156-2023, and 3382-2023 for administration of the program providing exterior home repair to address code violations. Additionally, this ordinance authorizes entering into a service agreement with Habitat for Humanity - MidOhio as an additional service provider for the work listed above.
The City of Columbus, Office of the City Attorney and the Franklin County Environmental Courts have been working to assist homeowners throughout the city that are elderly and/or disabled to repair code violations on their homes that are in the court systems (and have been) since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Repairs range from roof repair to new roofs, gutters, painting, sewer line work, porch/foundation work, cutting down dead trees, overgrown high weeds, branches and grass. The homeowners do not have the financial means or physical ability to do such repairs. Their incomes are very limited. In July 2021, City Attorney Zach Klein’s office requested and received grant money in the amount of $100,000.00 to start the Home Repair Program. This work has primarily been carried out by NextGen who works with local contractors and encourages minority participation as much as possible. All contractors are licensed, bonded, have BWC insurance and are registered with the City of Columbus as a contractor (in order to pull necessary permits, if needed, for repairs). Once repairs are complete, the City Code Officer that referred the properties to the court system is contacted to make sure the repairs meet the requirements to close out the current code violations.
This ordinance adds $500,000.00 for the administration of the owner-occupied program providing exterior home repair to address code violations. The additional need could not be foreseen at the start of the program as we were not fully aware of the need in the community for these services. It has been determined that it is in the best interest to continue working with Columbus Next Gen to avoid any disruption in the owner-occupied exterior home repair program. The additional cost was based on previous expenditures.
This ordinance authorizes an extension of the original agreement with Columbus NextGen through December 31, 2025, enters into an agreement with Habitat for Humanity - MidOhio through December 31, 2025, and increases the available funding by $500,000.00 from the General Fund.
Columbus Next Generation Corporation, CC#: CC008637, expires 5/30/2025
Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio, CC#004859, expires 3/20/2025
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the General Fund.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to modify and extend an existing contract with Columbus Next Generation Corporation and to enter into a contact with Habitat for Humanity - MidOhio to assist homeowners throughout the city that are elderly and/or disabled to repair code violations on their homes; and to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $500,000.00 within the general fund Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Next Generation has been working with the City of Columbus Office of the City Attorney and the Franklin County Environmental Courts to assist homeowners throughout the city that are elderly and/or disabled to repair code violations on their homes; and
WHEREAS, Habitat for Humanity - MidOhio is a trusted community partner who brings people together to inspire hope, build homes, empower families, and develop communities; and
WHEREAS, repairs range from roof repair to new roofs, gutters, painting, sewer line work, porch/foundation work, cutting down dead trees, overgrown high weeds, branches and grass; and
WHEREAS, the homeowners do not have the financial means or physical ability to do such repairs; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Attorney is hereby authorized to modify and extend an existing contract with Columbus Next Generation Corporation, originally authorized by ordinance 1268-2021, by adding $350,000.00 of available resources.
SECTION 2. That the City Attorney is hereby authorized to enter into a service agreement with Habitat for Humanity -- MidOhio for up to $150,000.00 to provide grants to owner-occupants of residential properties in the City of Columbus for exterior home repairs to address code violations.
SECTION 3. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $500,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That per the action authorized by Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $350,000.00 within the General Fund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That per the action authorized by Section 2 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $150,000.00 within the General Fund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That these contracts are authorized under the non-profit service contracting provisions of Section 329 of Columbus City Codes.
SECTION 7. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 8. 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 9. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.