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.
On March 11, City Council approved the purchase of 0.7 acres from Columbus City Schools on which to build a new early learning and community center. Design is scheduled to begin imminently.
In addition to early learning, the new center will provide the critical “wraparound services” that children need to learn and develop. As well as two-generational programs for their families and members of the Hilltop community. Determining what programs and services to provide that are not otherwise available or convenient will be important in the development of the facility.
Therefore the Department of Education requests the authority to contract with Mollard Consulting. Mollard will provide to the department the data and research needed to make informed decisions as to which programs our children and families need to succeed, and which programs and services should be included in the development of the new center.
As Mollard has participated in numerous similar initiatives with the City and local partners, the Department requests to waive competitive bidding.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $46,920.00 from the 2019 Department of Education’s General Fund operating budget.
EMERGENCY DESIGNTION: Emergency designation is requested as design work is scheduled to begin imminently.
Title
To authorize the Director of Education to enter into a contract with Mollard Consulting to provide a program needs assessment for the new early learning facility in the Hilltop; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; to authorize the expenditure of $46,920.00 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($46,920.00)
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, 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, the Hilltop Early Childhood Partnership recommended the creation of a new early learning facility to increase capacity; and
WHEREAS, wraparound services are an important part of early learning, are critical in the development of children and are standard in successful educational programs; and
WHEREAS, a two-generational education approach provides opportunities to learn and grow for children and families; and
WHEREAS, determining what programs and services to provide will be crucial in the development of the new facility; and
WHEREAS, the consultant has participated in numerous similar initiatives with the City and local partners, therefore, the Department requests to waive competitive bidding; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Education in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a contract with Mollard Consulting 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 a contract with Mollard Consulting to provide a program needs assessment for the new early learning facility in the Hilltop.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $46,920.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund as follows:
(see attachment 0957-2019)
Div.: 42-01 | Fund: 1000 | SubFund: 100010 | Obj. Class: 03 | Main Acct: 63050 | Program: ED001 | Amount: $46,920
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 this Council finds it is in the City's best interest to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329.
SECTION 5. 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.