Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a non-profit service contract in an amount up to $500,000.00 with the Columbus Partnership, DBA Smart Columbus, LLC. Smart Columbus LLC is the non-profit organization created to continue the efforts of the Smart Columbus US Department of Transportation Grant.
The mission of Smart Columbus LLC is to create an agile and collaborative innovation lab that delivers impact through leadership, partnership, and project delivery.
Thought leadership is developing and advocating for a point of view on the future of cities, convening like minded cities, our community ad partners to accelerate learning and imagine a different future together, and inspire future change by telling the story of the ecosystem’s work and impact and uplifting stories of impact across the region.
Fostering an ecosystem of partnerships motivated by, invested in, and taking action toward, a shared vision through one or more of the following levels:
Counsel: Smart Columbus provides advice and guidance to those in the public-private academic communities.
Connect Partners: Smart Columbus introduces and connects businesses and individuals in our ecosystem to one another to foster collaborations.
Develop Strategy: Smart Columbus develops a strategy for identified projects or areas of impact.
Build and deploy solutions: Smart Columbus builds and deploys solutions for identified projects or areas of impact.
Smart Columbus LLC delivers impact through human-centered, technology-enabled solutions co-created with the community. Projects include the following: Intersectional, New and Next, Impactful, Doable, and Real. The organization supports a portfolio of projects that are initiated and financially supported in different business models. The models are:
Incubator Model: The organization will proactively invest in an idea or domain area, taking it through incubation, market analysis, and product development with invested resources. This direct influence on creating a solution requires high investment but allows for building and influencing of solutions to impact a defined area of work. The projects are longer term commitments and iterative to get to impact outcomes and are funded by grants and community investment.
Consulting Model: This model uses Smart Columbus as a project manager on selected projects or ideas owned by existing entities, businesses, and/or partners. These engagements could be more short term and are funded by a project management fee.
Smart Columbus supports plans and activities related to the City’s broadband and digital equity initiatives.
These funds will be also be used to study and plan further efforts to scale solutions that close the digital divide in the City of Columbus.
The City’s Department of Technology has worked the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition, a collaboration of multiple partners across the city including the Columbus Metropolitan Libraries, the YWCA, Jewish Family Services, MORPC, NDIA and others throughout the pandemic to find ways to provide affordable and quality internet to opportunity neighborhoods in the city. The city has piloted in two (2) neighborhoods during the pandemic and has evolved throughout the pilot period with different iterations. Throughout these pilots, the City of Columbus and DEC have learned many of the challenges that are unique to the city. The city, via contract with Smart Columbus, will enter into a planning process for moving the initiative forward across the city.
In 2023, current work falls into four areas of focus with each area representing a proactive “bet” to create opportunity as a city of the future:
Mobility-Ensure Columbus continues to lead in smart mobility
Sustainability-Adoption of Climate Technologies to achieve Carbon Neutrality
Digitalization-Modernize the resident experience inclusively
Emerging-Stay ahead of emerging urban technologies
The services included in this contract cannot be provided by existing city employees because these services are beyond the City’s current responsibility and capacity to provide.
Fiscal Impact: The funding of $500,000.00 for this contract will be transferred from the General Fund Citywide Account to the Department of Development General Fund Budget.
Contract Compliance: The contract compliance number is 040255 and expires 11/30/23.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a non-profit services contract with Columbus Partnership, DBA Smart Columbus LLC in an amount up to $500,000.00 to support the ongoing efforts and work of the Smart Columbus organization; to authorize the transfer of $500,000.00 between the Citywide Account and the Department of Development; and to authorize the expenditure of $500,000.00 from the General Fund. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Smart Columbus was created through a US Department of Transportation grant; and
WHEREAS, Smart Columbus, LLC, a non-profit organization, is in the next phase of the work, after the end of the original grant; and
WHEREAS, the mission of Smart Columbus, LLC is to create an agile and collaborative innovation lab that delivers impact through thought leadership, partnership, and project delivery; and
WHEREAS, Smart Columbus, LLC will lead private sector elements of the Climate Action plan and Electrification efforts, as well as assist with activities related to the City’s broadband and digital equity initiatives; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a non-profit service contract with the Columbus Partnership, DBA Smart Columbus LLC for ongoing operational support.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund) from Dept-Div 45-01 (Financial Management), Object Class 10 (Transfer Out Operating) to Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development), Object Class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purposes stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept. 44-02 (Economic Development), in Object Class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 5. That the funds are hereby deemed appropriated and transfers authorized 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 ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.