Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Dress for Success Columbus in an amount up to $750,000.00 for the purpose of building out a new location, doubling the amount of building space, for expanded and growing operations and service provision. An expanded space will serve the continuing needs of the unemployed and underemployed with an emphasis on the women in the Columbus workforce as they launch and sustain their careers through mentoring, career coaching, and financial empowerment trainings. Expanding programming and services provided by Dress for Success Columbus ensures all who need the services and programming are able to receive it. As women successfully launch and sustain their career journeys, they take critical steps toward economic stability and the ability to thrive in their communities. This ordinance also authorizes payment of eligible expenses, including soft costs, prior to the purchase order beginning November 1, 2025. Payments will be advanced on a predetermined schedule provided in the terms of the agreement.
Emergency action is necessary to ensure the payment per the commitment is made, allowing for the intended renovations to be completed per the organization’s renovation schedule. Renovations will allow for the continuous and expanded provision of services in Columbus through mentoring, career coaching, and financial empowerment trainings.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available with the Development Taxable Bonds Fund, 7739.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: CC- CC001406 expires 8/7/2026
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Dress for success Columbus to build out a new location for service provision and organizational operations; to authorize the expenditure of $750,000.00 from the Development Taxable Bond Fund; to authorize expenses incurred prior to purchase order execution, beginning November 1, 2025; to authorize the advancement of funds on a predetermined schedule provided in the terms of the agreement; and to declare an emergency. ($750,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Dress for Success Columbus performs a variety of programs with a focus on ensuring unemployed and underemployed women have the resources they need to successfully launch and sustain their careers; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement in the amount of $750,000.00 with Dress for Success Columbus for the renovation and update of the existing building and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, to authorize an expenditure within the Development Taxable Bond Fund in an amount up to $750,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the execution of a purchase order, starting November 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to also authorize advanced funds per a pre-determined schedule provided in the terms of the agreement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into an agreement with Dress for Success Columbus to ensure that payment per the commitment is made, allowing for the intended renovations to be completed per the organization’s renovation schedule, thereby preserving 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 Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a Grant Agreement in an amount up to $750,000.00, with Dress for Success Columbus for building renovations, to authorize expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order, starting November 1, 2025, and to advance funding per a predetermined schedule.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $750,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 7739 (Development Taxable Bonds), Project 441798-100000 (Dress for Success), Dept. 44-01 (Administrative), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 7. 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.