Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance appropriates $50,000 from the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund to the Department of Development and authorizes expenditure of these funds by directing the Director of the Department of Development to provide grant assistance to the Material Assistance Providers (MAP) Furniture Bank. Allocated funds will be used for exterior facility improvements including resurfacing and re-grading of parking areas, replacement of front public walk, repair sections of the main building roof, installation of a fence monitoring system and installation of a camera surveillance system.
MAP is located in the near West side of Columbus and provides furniture free of charge to families and individuals in need. Furniture is accepted via donations and none of the furniture acquired is purchased. Approximately 65-70% of the furniture comes from individuals and residential donors, while the balance comes from institutional sources, such as hotels and motels, colleges and universities, furniture retailers, furnished apartment complexes and restaurants.
In March 2006 to assist redevelopment of the Franklinton area, MAP chose to purchase and renovate an older, existing building close to downtown for its operations. Significant rehabilitation of the building has been required since it was occupied and support from the EHS fund has enabled MAP to make many needed improvements. Repairs and improvements funded by this grant will prevent water damage to the furniture inventory, provide safer surfaces for visitors and staff and minimize the risk of vandalism and/or theft.
This ordinance is presented as an emergency to allow for facility improvements to begin immediately, thereby avoiding interruptions in program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: A total of $50,000.00 has been allocated for this grant from the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $50,000 from the unappropriated balance of the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund to the Department of Development; to approve the grant application of the MAP Furniture Bank seeking assistance for capital costs associated with the maintenance of its facility pursuant to Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to provide emergency grant assistance to the MAP Furniture Bank; to authorize expenditure of $50,000.00 from the Emergency Human Service Capital Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, City Council is authorized to allocate up to $300,000 annually to assist social service agencies in the city with the capital costs of maintaining their facilities; and
WHEREAS, City Council has reviewed the grant application of the MAP Furniture Bank and hereby declares MAP Furniture Bank has articulated a need for emergency human service capital funds that is sufficient to justify approval of said grant; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to appropriate $50,000 from the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund to enter into a grant agreement with the MAP Furniture Bank for exterior facility repairs and improvements; and
WHEREAS, MAP Furniture Bank provides furniture free of charge to individuals and families in need; and
WHEREAS, repairs and improvements funded by this grant will prevent water damage to the furniture inventory, provide safer surfaces for visitors and staff and minimize the risk of vandalism and/or theft; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is presented as an emergency to allow for facility improvements to begin immediately, thereby avoiding interruptions in program services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a grant agreement with the MAP Furniture Bank for 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 grant application of the MAP Furniture Bank seeking financial assistance to address an emergency human service need pursuant to Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby approved.
Section 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund, and from any and all sources unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, the sum of $50,000.00 be and is hereby appropriated to the Department of Development, Department No. 44-05, Fund 232, Project 200001, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440508.
Section 3. That the Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the MAP Furniture Bank for exterior facility repairs and improvements.
Section 4. That the expenditure authorized herein is in accordance with Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Section 5. That for the purpose as stated in Section 3, the expenditure of $50,000.00 or as much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Emergency Human Services Capital Fund, Department of Development, Department No. 44-05, Fund 232, Project 200001, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440508.
Section 6. 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.