Explanation
This ordinance authorizes a contract for $30,000.00 between Columbus City Council and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The Ohio State University.
Columbus City Council will partner with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the development of the Reentry Entrepreneurship Program (REP). The purpose of REP is to provide current and previously incarcerated individuals with the information and education that they need to start the process of developing a small business. The program will focus on strategic plan development, entrepreneurship training, personal and basic business finance and leadership development. Participants will focus on issues such as business viability, mentorship, recruitment and training.
Former inmates face substantial obstacles in finding gainful employment, a significant and well-documented factor in recidivism. States that provide additional business education training beyond remedial courses show a correlated decrease in recidivism and an increase in overall employment of those previously incarcerated.
The program will be based upon other initiatives that have already been successfully implemented in other correctional facilities around the country. The intent is to develop REP in coordination with the Franklin County Corrections Division, so that program services can be provided to those currently incarcerated in Franklin County facilities.
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The Ohio State University is an interdisciplinary center that resides in the Fisher College of Business, but is able to utilize resources and assets from many of the other academic centers throughout the university, such as public policy, social work, and law. For this reason, the Center is especially well-positioned to partner with Columbus City Council on the development of REP.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available in the Jobs Growth subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in initiating the program and in coordinating the delivery of services to correctional facilities.
Title
To authorize a contract between Columbus City Council and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at the Ohio State University, for the purpose of developing the Reentry Entrepreneurship Program; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure of $30,000.00 within the Jobs Growth subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($30,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a clearly demonstrated link between the provision of business education and training and reduced rates of recidivism among previously-incarcerated individuals; and
WHEREAS, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The Ohio State University is well-positioned as an interdisciplinary institute capable of harnessing resources from across the university in the development of an entrepreneurship program targeted for incarcerated individuals; and
WHEREAS, this Council deems it to be an effective use of funds to support the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in their effort; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the city in that it is immediately necessary to make funding immediately available to the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in order to more rapidly implement the development of the Reentry Entrepreneurship Program; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Columbus City Council is hereby authorized to enter into contract with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The Ohio State University for the purpose of developing the Reentry Entrepreneurship Program.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate $30,000.00 in the Jobs Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015, to the Columbus City Council, in Object Class 03 - Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 2648-2016 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $30,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the actions authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Jobs Growth subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100015, in Object Class 03 - Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 2648-2016 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 5. That for the reason stated in the preamble here to, 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.