Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with HandsOn Central Ohio to provide Mobile Phone-based Emergency Food Scheduling service to the residents of Columbus for a twelve-month period for a total amount of $100,000.00.
With support from Columbus City Council, HandsOn Central Ohio began operation of the Mobile Phone-based Emergency Food Scheduling service in 2015. This service provides Columbus residents of three high-need neighborhoods (West Side, North Linden, South Side) the ability to access emergency food using their mobile phones’ text messaging or online chat functions. Since launching the service, both client access to emergency food and food system efficiency have improved. More specifically, more emergency food is making its way to the tables of Columbus’ most food insecure residents.
This funding will allow the process to continue much needed services.
Emergency action is necessary to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this expenditure is allocated from the Emergency Human Services Fund portion of the Hotel Motel Tax Fund.
Title
To approve the funding request of HandsOn Central Ohio seeking financial assistance to address an emergency human service need pursuant to Columbus City Code; to authorize the Director of Development to execute a grant agreement with HandsOn Central Ohio to provide Mobile Phone-based Emergency Food Scheduling service to the residents of Columbus; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $100,000.00 from the Hotel Motel Tax Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, HandsOn Central Ohio has submitted a funding request seeking financial assistance for Emergency Human Services Funds; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into a grant agreement with HandsOn Central Ohio for the continued provision of Mobile Phone-based Emergency Food Scheduling service to the residents of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, City Council is authorized to allocate funds annually to assist social service agencies in the city with the operating costs of delivering programs; and
WHEREAS, the grant will be funded from the Hotel Motel Tax Fund; 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 HandsOn Central Ohio to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of program services, all for the 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 HandsOn Central Ohio seeking financial assistance to address an emergency human service need pursuant to Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Code is hereby approved.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with HandsOn Central Ohio for the provision of Mobile Phone-based Emergency Food Scheduling service to the residents of Columbus for a one-year period.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the sum of $100,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 2231 Hotel Motel Tax in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized in Fund 2231 Hotel Motel Tax Fund, in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the expenditures authorized herein are in accordance with Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Code.
SECTION 6. Payments are expressly contingent upon the availability of sufficient monies in the Emergency Human Services Fund to cover the obligation set forth in this contract and in no case shall payments exceed available cash in this fund. In this event that there is not sufficient cash in the fund to cover the obligation set forth in this contract, the City Auditor shall have the authority to make all necessary adjustments at his discretion.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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.