Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Urban League in an amount up to $200,000.00 to add needed capacity to Columbus Urban League’s (CUL) COVID-19 specific services for its Choose 2 Change initiative.
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unforeseen needs within the population of returning citizens from incarceration. Many are released with no money, food or anywhere to go. Many cannot access online resources or even secure an identification card. Columbus Urban League, through the Choose 2 Change initiative, will address these issues though enhanced peer-to-peer counseling, payment of identification cards and distribution of welcome kits that include PPE masks and gloves.
The Columbus Urban League is a community‐based, non‐profit, advocacy organization. Founded in 1918, the CUL is an affiliate of the National Urban League. Ranked in the top 5% of the 88-affiliate network of the Urban League movement nationally, Columbus Urban League is one of the oldest organizations in the United States promoting equal and equitable access to resources.
The services included in this contract cannot be provided by existing city employees because these services are beyond the City’s capacity to provide.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that Columbus Urban League can begin providing additional COVID-19 related services as soon as possible.
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, and funds are available for the Department of Development in Fund 2207 subfund 220702.
Contract Compliance: the vendor’s vendor number is 006073 and is valid from 4/20/2020-4/20/2022
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Urban League in an amount up to $200,000.00 to add needed capacity to Columbus Urban League’s COVID-19 specific services to returning citizens; to authorize the expenditure of up to $200,000.00 from the CARES Act Fund; to authorize the payment of expenses starting March 1, 2020; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in causing unforeseen needs within the population of returning citizens from incarceration; and
WHEREAS, The Columbus Urban League has been and will continue to assist returning citizens access to resources to meet those needs; and,
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding is necessary to address unforeseen needs within the population of returning citizens from incarceration caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; 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 Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement with the Columbus Urban League to ensure that the Columbus Urban League can begin providing additional COVID-19 related services as soon as possible; 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 the Director of Development is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Urban League to allow it to begin providing additional COVID-19 specific services to its members and the nonprofit sector in an amount up to $200,000.00 effective March 1, 2020.
SECTION 2: That the expenditure of $200,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 2207 (CARES Act Fund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration Division), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3: 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 4: 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 5: That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to the process for awarding not-for-profit service agreements.
SECTION 6: That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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 nor vetoes the same.