Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Neighborhood Design Center is a non-profit, community-based corporation. The City has been providing funding to the Neighborhood Design Center since November, 1982. Since that time, the organization has undertaken work for numerous clients all within the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) districts. Assistance has been provided to the business associations and the various businesses with the NCR areas. The Neighborhood Design Center also provides planning services as well as assistance with financial alternatives within the CDBG service area.
In addition, the Neighborhood Design Center provides exterior design services to any commercial property owner or tenant in the NCR area. A minor amount of design assistance may well stimulate investment and create a quality business built upon good design. This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $143,161 for the above-mentioned purpose.
FISCAL IMPACT: $143,161 is allocated in the 2015 Community Development Block Grant Fund (CDBG) budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Neighborhood Design Center to provide exterior design services and planning activities within the NCR and CDBG service areas; to authorize the expenditure of $143,161.00 from the Community Development Block Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($143,161.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program encourages the aesthetic improvement of exterior building facades; and
WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Design Center has been established to promote the role of the architect in the development process to provide training for architecture students, to encourage good design in redevelopment and to generate participation in the City's commercial revitalization efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Design Center also provides planning activities and financial assistance to the businesses in the NCR areas and the CDBG service area; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to enter into a contract with the Neighborhood Design Center in order to provide architectural services for exterior design work and related design assistance, and planning activities in the NCR and CDBG service area; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has been in contract with the Neighborhood Design Center since 1982; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is necessary to allow the Neighborhood Design Center to provide services to the NCR business community without interruption; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to continue the administration of said activity, 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 and directed to enter into a 13 month administrative contract, commencing February 1, 2015 and ending on February 28, 2016 with the Neighborhood Design Center to provide exterior design services and planning activities within the NCR and CDBG service areas.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $143,161 or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Department of Development, Fund 248, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 415419.
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
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 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.