Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Diversity Bridge Initiative is a program launched by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) to cultivate the growth of minority and women-owned businesses in Columbus, Ohio. Diversity Bridge is a direct outgrowth of a comprehensive strategic planning process that involved more than 100 diverse stakeholders including minority business owners, nonprofit-minority and women-owned businesses, business resource providers, local, state and federal government and the private sector.
The Chamber in concert with its partners, serves as the centralized point of contact to assure successful implementation of the programs and activities of The Diversity Bridge Initiative. The Chamber will encourage collaboration among the organizations and agencies that service minority businesses, thereby eliminating unnecessary redundancy and enhance service.
Through the Diversity Bridge web portal, the Chamber desires to provide more jobs and build wealth in the W/MBE community by creating a more efficient and effective service delivery network; and build capacity within the minority business community.
This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $50,000 from the General Fund and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for administrative costs associated with the implementation of the Diversity Bridge Initiative.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are available within the Development Department 2014 General Fund budget. A transfer of $50,000.00 will be necessary between divisions.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer $50,000.00 within the General Fund; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for administrative costs associated with the Diversity Bridge Initiative; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Diversity Bridge Initiative provides direct programming or a link to the appropriate program for all women/minority business enterprises (W/MBEs) including start-up and mature businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Chamber in concert with its partners, serves as the centralized point of contact to assure successful implementation of the programs and activities of the Diversity Bridge Initiative; and
WHEREAS, through the Diversity Bridge web portal, the Chamber desires to provide more jobs and build wealth in the W/MBE community by creating a more efficient and effective service delivery network; and build capacity within the minority business community; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to enter into a contract with the Columbus Chamber to provide administrative costs associated with the Diversity Bridge Initiative; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested to allow the Columbus Chamber to continue to provide the services of the Diversity Bridge Initiative without interruption; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to expend funds for administrative costs associated with the Columbus Chamber Diversity Bridge Initiative, 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 Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for the implementation of the Diversity Bridge Initiative.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $50,000.00 within the General Fund, Fund 010 from the Department of Development, Department/Division 44-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 499038 to the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division No. 44-02, Object Level One 03, Object Level 3337, OCA Code 440314
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary be and is hereby authorized from the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, General Fund, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440314.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Code.
SECTION 5. 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 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.