Explanation
Background: Ordinances 0629-2012 and 1467-2012 authorized the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contracts with various nonprofit organizations to provide maintenance and landscaping services for parcels owned by the Columbus Land Bank in a program called Community Land Care. This legislation will reestablish land care contracts with six community based non-profit organizations. The Community Land Care Program services include trash pickup, lawn mowing, landscaping, lot monitoring, seeding, and community garden support. This legislation will continue the program for an additional year with six community based non-profit organizations.
FISCAL IMPACT: $150,000 has been allocated from the General Fund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency action is requested in order to continue to provide vital land care services without interruption.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to modify an existing agreement or enter into new agreements with the Franklinton Development Association, Central Community House, Community Development for All People, Metropolitan Community Services, Inc., Homes on the Hill Community Development Corporation, and St. Stephen's Community House; to authorize a transfer of appropriation within the general fund; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Council passed ordinance 2161-93, on October 25, 1993, as amended by 1325-98, on June 8, 1998, to authorize the adoption of a Land Reutilization Program under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5722; and
WHEREAS, Council passed ordinance 0629-2012, on March 28, 2012, as amended by Ordinance No. 1467-2012, on July 11, 2012, Ordinance No. 0817-2013 passed April 22, 2013, and Ordinance No. 0246-2014 passed 2/24/2014, and Ordinance No. 0789-2015 passed 4/20/15 and 0604-2016 passed 4/4/2016 to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into agreements with various nonprofit organizations to provide maintenance and landscaping services for properties owned by the Columbus Land Bank Program; and
WHEREAS, the City owns hundreds of vacant lots acquired under the Land Reutilization Program and desires to continue contracts with various community based non-profit corporations to maintain and improve the lots; and
WHEREAS, such maintenance can not be performed by existing City Staff; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to modify or enter into agreements and appropriate and expend funds for the maintenance and improvement of existing City owned properties under the Land Reutilization Program, 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, or designee, is authorized to modify or enter into contracts with the Franklinton Development Association, Homes on the Hill Community Development Corporation, Central Community House, Metropolitan Community Services, Inc., Community Development for All People, and St. Stephen's Community House to provide various maintenance services for properties held by the Columbus Land Reutilization Program.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $150,000 is hereby authorized between divisions within the general fund, fund 1000, subfund 100010, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in section 1, the expenditure of $150,000 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 General Fund in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That these contracts are awarded pursuant to Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code relating to not for profit service contracts.
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 reason 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 form and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.