Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the appropriation, transfer and expenditure of $550,000 for the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) Interior and Exterior Improvement Grant Programs. The NCR areas are Franklinton, Hilltop, Main Street, Parsons Avenue, Long Street, Mount Vernon Avenue and North and South Linden. Columbus City Council has continuously provided funding for the exterior improvement grant program. On December 2, 2013, per ordinance number 2740-2013, Columbus City Council initiated the interior improvement grant program. The program was a result of the Small Business Roundtable. Funding is needed to continue the existing exterior (façade) improvement grant program and to provide additional funding for the council initiated small business interior improvement grant program.
The interior and exterior improvement grant programs aim to help small, independent businesses cover the cost of interior and exterior renovations. Some of the exterior services include the following: signage, awning, façade painting, window/door replacement and exterior lighting. Interior services include other basic improvements such as the following: lighting fixtures, plumbing/hvac, security systems, expansion cost, carpeting/flooring, permit cost, painting/drywall, architectural or engineering cost for interior work and permanent fixtures.
Emergency action is requested to allow the Department of Development to continue providing assistance through the interior and exterior improvement grant programs without interruption.
Fiscal Impact: Funds in the amount of five hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($550,000) are available for the project in the Development Taxable Bond Fund under the Department of Development. An amendment to the 2018 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned program expenditure.
Title
To amend the 2018 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Development Taxable Bonds Fund; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to continue to provide financial assistance to small businesses through the NCR Interior and Exterior Improvement Grant Programs; to authorize the expenditure of $550,000.00 within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($550,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Development Department desires to promote growth and development of small businesses in the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization areas (NCR) by providing grants available through the NCR interior and exterior improvement grant program; and
WHEREAS, the NCR Areas are Franklinton, Hilltop, Main Street, Parsons Avenue, Long Street, Mount Vernon Avenue and North and South Linden; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council, per Ordinance Number 2740-2013, on December 2, 2013 created the small business interior improvement grant program as a part of the Small Business Roundtable Initiative; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council has continuously provided funding for the NCR Exterior Grant Improvement Program; and
WHEREAS, the Development Department desires to continue to provide assistance for the Interior and Exterior Grant Programs to assist small businesses within the NCR areas; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to expend five hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($550,000) to assist small businesses in the NCR areas to improve the interior and exterior of their businesses to enhance the economic environment; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2018 Capital Improvement Budget and a transfer of cash between projects within the same fund for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested to allow the Development Department to continue providing assistance to the NCR areas with the Interior and Exterior Improvement Grant Programs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the expenditure of such funds to meet community commitments; thereby immediately 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 the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to continue to provide financial assistance to the small business community in the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Areas through the NCR Interior and Exterior Improvement Grant Programs.
Section 2. That the 2018 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1010-2018 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund/Project/Project Name/Current/Change/Amended
7739/590415-100012/Public Private Partnerships (3P) $1,907,691/$550,000/$1,357,691
7739/530059-100000/NCR Interior Exterior Improvements/$0/$550,000/$550,000
Section 3. That the transfer of $550,000, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 7739 Development Taxable Bonds per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
Section 4. That the expenditure of $550,000 is hereby authorized in Fund 7739 Development Taxable Bond Fund in Object Class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 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 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves or vetoes the same.