Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
State Farm accepts applications once a year for its Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants. State Farm is accepting applications through October 31, 2017, this year. Through its company grants, State Farm focuses on three areas: safety, education, and community development. Average grant awards range between $10,000.00 and $15,000.00 and these grants do not require a local match.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to formally apply for State Farm’s Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grant and, if awarded, to accept the grant award on behalf of the Department of Public Service. It also authorizes the Director of Public Service to sign agreements with State Farm or others in connection with the award of the grant, to expend the awarded funds per the conditions of the grant awards, and authorizes the return of unused grant funds if any should remain when final accounting is performed at the end of the grant.
2. EXPECTED PROJECT
The Department of Public Service plans to submit an application for a safety and sidewalk in-fill project. While the Department relies upon contractors to complete large projects, the Department is able to complete small, necessary projects internally as funding allows. The project is still being scoped, but the Department is working to put together a project that addresses sidewalk in-fill and/or safety needs around a school and/or in a Celebrate One area.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
No local match is required from the City and there is no fiscal impact at this time. If awarded a grant, expenditures involving the grant funds will be submitted under separate legislation for Council’s approval.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The Department of Public Service just found out about this grant opportunity. Emergency action is requested to allow the Department of Public Service to apply for State Farm’s Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grant before the application deadline passes.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to apply for State Farm’s Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grant and to execute documents providing for the acceptance and administration of said grant award; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, State Farm is accepting applications for its Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grant; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications, execute documents related to the grant, accept grant funds, and issue refunds if necessary after final accounting for approved projects; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists within the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to apply for the grant from State Farm before the application deadline, thereby preserving 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 Public Service be and is hereby authorized to submit applications for State Farm’s Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grant, and to execute documents related to the application, acceptance, and administration of any awarded grants.
SECTION 2. That, if awarded grant funds, the Director of Public Service is authorized to accept and expend the funds in accordance with the grant conditions.
SECTION 3. That, at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 4. 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.