Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $400,000.00 of the anticipated FY 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Department of Development and authorizes the Director of Development to enter into contract with the Community Shelter Board for the administration of the City's Emergency Solutions Grant monies.
Historically, the City has received an annual grant amount greater than $550,000 (the amount fluctuates each year) and has sought authority to appropriate and expend the fund after the grant has been executed. Starting with the 2019 grant, the department seeks approval to appropriate and expend a portion of the grant before the grant agreement is executed and then execute a planned, contract modification for the remaining fund amount after the grant amount is known (usually mid-year). This change is a result of changing accounting procedures for HUD grants.
ESG provides funding for purpose of preventing homelessness and providing emergency shelter and can include and encourage initiatives of rapid re-housing and stabilization for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Additionally, the grant can also be used to support the community’s Homeless Management Information System to guarantee that the community’s plan to end homelessness is based on the most applicable and current homeless data available. Funds will be used to meet the housing needs identified in the Consolidated Plan submitted to HUD. The Community Shelter Board, a non-profit organization, has been selected because of their history with the city and the homeless service community in the funding and coordination of services to homeless individuals and families, as well as, their established administrative procedures to effectively and efficiently implement such services.
Emergency legislation is in order to continue housing crisis response initiatives without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this agreement in the amount of $400,000.00 is supported by the anticipated 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant to be awarded to the City of Columbus by HUD.
Title
To authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $400,000.00 of the anticipated FY 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Department of Development; to authorize the Director of Development to enter into contract with the Community Shelter Board for the administration of the City's Emergency Solutions Grant monies; and to declare an emergency. ($400,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus expects to continue as a participating jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for 2019; and
WHEREAS, the City is the recipient of Emergency Solutions Grant funds from HUD; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus City Council has approved the 2019 Action Plan, per Ordinance 2776-2018, as required by HUD; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Development to enter into contract with the Community Shelter Board; and
WHEREAS, these programs have effectively and efficiently enabled our community to help individuals and families who are homeless resolve their housing crisis; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with the Community Shelter Board so that necessary services will not be interrupted, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; 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 ending December 31, 2019, the sum of $400,000.00 is appropriated upon receipt of an executed grant agreement in Fund 2220 (General Government Grant), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), Project G451900, in Object Class 03 (Contractual Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $400,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized in Fund 2220 (General Government Grant Fund), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 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 5. 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 ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with the Community Shelter Board for the purpose of effectively and efficiently enabling our community to help individuals and families who are homeless resolve their housing crisis through the Emergency Solutions Grant Program.
SECTION 7. That this contract is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to the process for awarding not for profit service contracts.
SECTION 8. 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.