Explanation
Mayor Ginther’s vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that every 4-year-old has access to a high-quality prekindergarten education. Addressing early childhood learning means bringing awareness and resources to a critical learning stage in childhood development. Children who come to school ready to learn are more likely to succeed academically and in life.
Children who participate in high-quality early childhood education experiences significantly improve their early literacy, language, and math skills. Ample evidence shows that children who enter school unprepared fall further and further behind. Students who get a poor start in their earliest years are likely to struggle in high school and, subsequently, fail to graduate.
Unfortunately, there are too few high-quality preschool providers in Columbus, especially in the Hilltop. Because of this, the Mayor convened the Hilltop Early Childhood Partnership in 2017. One of the recommendations of the Partnership was the development of a new early learning facility in the Hilltop to increase capacity. Design for the new facility is scheduled to begin imminently.
The success of this new initiative depends not only on the construction of the new facility. Enrolling subsidy-eligible children from the Hilltop neighborhood and developing a financially appropriate operating structure are crucial for the initiative’s success.
Pursuant to Columbus Code Section 329.29, which allows an agency to enter into a negotiated service contract with a non-profit organization, the Department of Education is seeking Council’s approval to enter into two contracts with IFF Real Estate Solutions.
In the first contract, IFF will provide to the City a Facility Operations Analysis, demonstrating a range of net operating income in operating projections based on factors that can influence revenue to cover costs necessary to operate the facility.
The second contract with IFF will provide to the City a general analysis of the market for early childhood education services in the Hilltop. This analysis will include population density by age, commuting patterns, and eligibility of children and families for childcare subsidies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Additional funding to cover both contracts ($20,000.00) is being transferred from the Department of Finance and Management to the Department of Education through 2970-2018. This ordinance is contingent upon the passage of 2970-2018.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION:
Emergency designation is requested to ensure the funding and contracts are established in time for the start of the program.
Title
To authorize the Director of Education to enter into contracts with IFF Real Estate Solutions to provide a Facility Operations Analysis and a general analysis of the market for early childhood education for the new early learning facility in the Hilltop; to authorize the expenditure of $29,000.00 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($29,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, children who have the opportunity to attend a high-quality early learning program are better prepared for school and for life; and
WHEREAS, children who come to kindergarten ready to learn are more likely to pass the third grade reading test and ultimately, to graduate; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor’s vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that all 4-year olds have access to a high-quality prekindergarten program; and
WHEREAS, there are far fewer children enrolled in a quality early learning program in the greater Hilltop area than anywhere else in the City; and
WHEREAS, there are 2,000 4-year-olds that reside in the greater Hilltop area; and
WHEREAS, the Hilltop Early Childhood Partnership recommended the creation of a new early learning facility to increase capacity; and
WHEREAS, having a Facility Operations Analysis and a general analysis of the market for early childhood education will be crucial for the success of this initiative; and
WHEREAS, contracts are being awarded to providers pursuant to Section 329.29, which allows for the City to negotiate not-for-profit service contracts; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Education to enter into contracts with IFF Real Estate Solutions and to expend such funds in time for the start of the program, all for the preservation of public health, peace and property and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Education is authorized to enter into contracts with IFF Real Estate Solutions to provide a Facility Operations Analysis and a general analysis of the market for early childhood education for the new early learning facility in the Hilltop.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $29,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund as follows:
(see attachment 3064-2018)
Div.: 42-01 | Fund: 1000 | SubFund: 100010 | Obj. Class: 03 | Main Acct: 63050 | Program: ED001 | Amount: $29,000
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 4. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is herby 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.