Explanation
BACKGROUND: On February 23, 2012, Mayor Michael Coleman announced new programs to fight vacant and abandoned property. As a part of the announcement, a new land care program was revealed to enlist neighborhood groups to take care of vacant parcels owned by the Columbus Land Bank Program. This legislation will establish land care contracts with five community based non-profit organizations. Each were selected based on the following criterion: proximity to a minimum of 25 vacant land bank lots, participation in Code Enforcement Environmental Abatement Program, and other demonstrated experience running a similar program. The Land Redevelopment Office expects to expand the number of participating organizations as demolitions are performed and new parcels enter the Land Bank. These contracts are in addition to yearly Land Bank contracts with private companies. Each contract will be between $20,000 and $35,000 based on the final number of lots maintained.
Emergency action is required so these services can be available at the beginning of the season.
FISCAL IMPACT: $130,000 has been allocated from the General Fund for this purpose.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into agreements with the Greater Linden Development Corporation, the Gladden Community House, Central Community House, Community Development for All People, and Hilltop Christian Development Corporation to provide maintenance services for properties acquired under the Neighborhood Stabilization and Land Reutilization Programs; to authorize the expenditure of $130,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($130,000.00) (AMENDED BY ORD. 0604-2016 PASSED 4/4/2016)
Body
Whereas, Council passed ordinance 2161-93, on October 25, 1993, as amended by 1325-98, on June 8, 1998, to authorize the adoption of a Land Reutilization Program under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5722; and
Whereas, the City owns hundreds of vacant lots acquired under the Land Reutilization Program and desires to contract with various community based non-profit corporations to maintain and improve the lots; and
Whereas, such maintenance can not be performed by existing City Staff; and
Whereas, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into agreements with these community based non-profit organizations so these services can be available at the beginning of the season, all 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 Development Director, or his designee, is authorized to enter into agreements with the Greater Linden Development Corporation, the Gladden Community House, Central Community House, Community Development for All People, and Hilltop Christian Development Corporation to provide maintenance services for properties acquired under the Neighborhood Stabilization and Land Reutilization Programs.
Section 2. That the expenditure of $130,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Department of Development, Division No. 44-01, General Fund, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3354, OCA Code 440311 for the aforesaid purpose is hereby authorized.
Section 3. That these contracts are awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
Section 4. That for the reason 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 form and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.