Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to amend the contract with Community Grounds for the purpose of reimbursing expenses incurred by Community Grounds prior to the signing of the contract. Community Grounds, an NCR (Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization) business, is also known as Community Grounds Coffee and Meeting House. The organization is a coffee house which also serves as a community place that helps raise money for local charities. Located at 1132-34 Parsons Avenue, in the Parsons Avenue NCR Area, Community Grounds sought assistance from the City of Columbus for renovation of the facility. On May 5, 2016, an application was received for exterior and interior improvement grants. A commitment letter accepting the application for assistance was provided to Community Grounds for the interior and exterior improvements. The commitment letter included an interior grant for up to $25,000. The exterior improvements were completed and the facade grant was completed and closed on August 29, 2017. A contract reflecting the interior improvements was executed in September, 2018. Community Grounds started worked on the interior renovations after receipt of the commitment letter of May 10, 2016. Interior improvements totaling more than $56,000 were completed prior to the execution of the contract.
Emergency action is needed to allow the Director of the Department of Development to reimburse Community Grounds for expenses incurred for interior renovation improvements prior to the execution of the contract without delay.
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact associated with this legislation.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to amend the contract with Community Grounds for the purpose of reimbursing expenses incurred by Community Grounds prior to the execution of the contract; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Community Grounds is a coffee house and community meeting place that helps raise money for local charities; and
WHEREAS, Community Grounds is an NCR (Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization) business located at 1132-34 Parsons Avenue; and
WHEREAS, on May 5, 2016, Community Grounds applied for interior and exterior grants with the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, a Commitment Letter of acceptance was sent to Community Grounds on May 10, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Community Grounds was approved for exterior and interior grants for project renovation; and
WHEREAS, the interior improvement grant was for an amount not to exceed $25,000; and
WHEREAS, a contract was executed in September, 2018 reflecting the interior grant; and
WHEREAS, Community Grounds completed interior renovations totaling over $56,000 prior to the execution of the contract; and
WHEREAS, the contract did not allow for the reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the execution of the contract; and
WHEREAS, emergency legislation is needed to allow the Director of the Department of Development to reimburse Community Grounds for expenses incurred for interior renovation improvements prior to the execution of the contract; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to amend the contract with Community Grounds for the purpose of reimbursing interior renovation expenses incurred prior to the execution of the contract for the preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to amend the contract with Community Grounds for the purpose of reimbursing expenses incurred for interior renovation improvements completed prior to the execution of the contract.
SECTION 2. 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 the passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.