Explanation
Background: As part of the Consent Order and Settlement Agreement between the City of Columbus and Penn National Gaming, Inc., the parties agreed to create the Westside Community Fund. Both the City of Columbus and Penn National Gaming agreed to contribute $2.5 million to the Westside Community Fund, with the first payment of $1 million to be made in 2012. Additional contributions of $750,000 were to be made by each party in 2013. The parties further agreed to each contribute $500,000 in 2014 with the final payment of $250,000 in 2015.
The Westside Community Fund will be used for a variety of projects related to the neighborhood(s) immediately surrounding the Casino development and/or the citizens thereof, including but not limited to job training, minority affairs, economic development and/or capital projects.
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $42,725 from the Westside Community Fund for support of Friends of the Hilltop and their work to empower and improve the Hilltop area through environmental remediation and beautification.
Emergency action is requested so that Friends of the Hilltop can continue these services without interruption.
Fiscal Impact: Funds have been deposited into the Westside Community Fund from proceeds from the city’s allocation of State Casino Tax Revenues to support this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $42,725.00 in the Westside Community Fund; to authorize the Director of the Development Department to enter into contract with Friends of the Hilltop for work to empower and improve the Hilltop area through environmental remediation and beautification; to authorize the expenditure of $42,725.00 from the Westside Community Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($42,725.00)
Body
WHEREAS, on June 6, 2011, Columbus City Council passed Ordinance 0889-2011, which authorized the execution of the Consent Order and Settlement Agreement in the case of CD Gaming v. City of Columbus, et al; and
WHEREAS, as a part of that settlement, the City of Columbus and Penn National Gaming, Inc. agreed to create the Westside Community Fund; and
WHEREAS, each party agreed to contribute $2.5 million to the Westside Community Fund, with the first payment of $1 million to be made in 2012, and contributions of $750,000 in 2013, $500,000 in 2014 and $250,000 in 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Westside Community Fund will be used for a variety of projects related to the neighborhood(s) immediately surrounding the Casino development and/or the citizens thereof, including but not limited to job training, minority affairs, economic development and/or capital projects; and
WHERAS, as part of this commitment, on February 17, 2017 each party has agreed to support the Friends of the Hilltop and the work they do to empower and improve the greater Hilltop area through the maintenance and beautification of public spaces with a grant in the amount of $42,725; 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 enter into contract with Friends of the Hilltop to continue services without interruption, and for the preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. 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, 2017, the sum of $42,725 is appropriated in Fund 2276 Westside Community Fund in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
Section 2. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Friends of the Hilltop for support of their organizations work to provide maintenance and beautification services to the greater Hilltop area.
Section 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $42,725 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2276 Westside Community Fund in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
Section 4. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 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 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.