Explanation
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to make financial assistance available and enter into grant agreements with Columbus area 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations to provide summer camp and recreational programming to youth in Central Ohio; to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,000,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks allocation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) fund; to declare an emergency. ($2,000,000.00)
Background: This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to establish a certificate in the amount of $2,000,000.00 for grant awards to Columbus area 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations to provide summer camp and recreational programming to youth in Central Ohio.
Due to the effects of COVID-19, the City of Columbus recognizes many organizations serving youth during the summer months may not have the capacity to do so in 2020. Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) fund, up to $2,000,000.00 is allocated to distribute to qualified Columbus area nonprofit agencies. Grants awarded will range from $2,000 to $250,000.
The nonprofit organizations must provide summer camps & opportunities to youth in Columbus to help ease the challenges families face due to the current public health emergency. Importantly, all expenses must be eligible under the United States Treasury CARES Act guidelines. Expenses must be necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) between March 1, 2020 and November 30, 2020.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so that the program can be implemented as soon as possible in accordance with grant conditions.
Benefits to the Public: Providing youth structured and creative recreational programming, affords youth the opportunity to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing. This grant program will help the City of Columbus maximize the number of kids served during the summer by connecting local nonprofit organizations to funding to expand summer program options.
Area(s) Affected: City-Wide
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Columbus Recreation and Parks’ Master Plan by providing diverse, inclusive, and affordable opportunities for youth. The program will also provide ways to expand program offerings to youth during the public health emergency.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is provided to the City of Columbus from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress and signed into law March 27, 2020.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to make financial assistance available and enter into grant agreements with Columbus area 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations to provide summer camp and recreational programming to youth in Central Ohio; to authorize the City Auditor to establish a certificate in the amount of $2,000,000.00 for grant awards; and to authorize the expenditure of $2,000,000.00 from the City of Columbus human services CARES Fund 2207; and to declare an emergency. ($2,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary that the City Auditor establish a certificate in the amount of $2,000,000.00 from the Human Services Care Fund for various grant awards within the Recreation and Parks Department; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding to increase recreational programming for youth is necessary to address the decrease in vital program offerings and services caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, grants will be awarded to Columbus area non-profit organizations in amounts between $2,000.00 and $250,000.00 and will be awarded based on the Treasury CARES Act guidelines for expenses incurred due to COVID-19 from March 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decrease in recreational program options for Columbus youth and familes due to additional safety protocols and procedures for public health; and
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into grant agreements for youth summer camps affected by COVID-19, for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish a certificate in the amount of $2,000,000.00 for various expenditures in conjunction with various grants awarded within the Recreation and Parks Department.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized to make financial assistance available from the CARES Fund 2207 and enter into grant agreements with Columbus area 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that provide summer camp and recreational programming to youth in Central Ohio.
SECTION 3. That grants will be awarded in amounts between $2,000.00 and $250,000.00 and will be awarded based on the Treasury CARES Act guidelines. All expenses and grant awards must be necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and incurred between March 1, 2020 and November 30, 2020.
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 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 7. That the expenditure of $2,000,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the human services CARES Fund 2207 in object class 03 services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That this Council recognizes that this ordinance does not identify all the nonprofit organizations to whom all of the grants and assistance will be awarded and understands that its passage will give the Director of Recreation and Parks the discretion and final decision in determination of the grants given that are in the best interests of the City.
SECTION 9. 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.