Explanation
BACKGROUND: CDBG funds are provided to the Columbus Urban League (CUL) to enable them to provide fair housing services to the residents of the city. The CUL will conduct activities to reduce and eliminate legal and social barriers to housing opportunities, investigate all valid housing discrimination complaints and seek redress, develop testing procedures to determine the extent of discrimination, promote awareness of equal housing opportunities, conduct tenant/landlord mediation and to implement the current Fair Housing Action Plan.
Emergency action is requested for the ongoing timely operation of the Fair Housing Program.
FISCAL IMPACT: $105,456.00 will be expended from the 2014 Community Development Block Grant Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Urban League for the administration of the Fair Housing Program; to authorize the expenditure of $105,456.00 from the Community Development Block Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($105,456.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Department of Development to expend monies from the Community Development Block Grant Fund for an agreement with the Columbus Urban League to administer the Fair Housing Program; and
WHEREAS, the CUL will conduct activities to reduce and eliminate legal and social barriers to housing opportunities, investigate all valid housing discrimination complaints and seek redress, develop testing procedures to determine the extent of discrimination, promote awareness of equal housing opportunities, conduct tenant/landlord mediation and implement the current Fair Housing Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual and daily operation of the Department of Development in that is immediately necessary to enter into contract with the Columbus Urban League for the ongoing timely operation of the Fair Housing Program, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That, in accordance with Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Code, the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Urban League for the administration of the Fair Housing Program.
Section 2. That the expenditure of $105,456.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from Division 44-10, Fund 248, OCA Code 444239, Object Level One 03, Object Level 3337 is hereby authorized for aforesaid purpose.
Section 3. 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 4. That for 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.