Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into agreements with various social service agencies throughout Central Ohio to allow those agencies to provide utility assistance grants to the residents they serve and households who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The total amount of these grants is $1,035,000.00.
The social service agencies are:
Amount Agency Vendor No. CC Expiration
$125,000.00 The Breathing Association 006094 4/4/21
$ 55,000.00 YMCA 006085 1/14/22
$ 55,000.00 Central Community House of Columbus Inc. 006068 4/22/22
$ 20,000.00 Jewish Family Services 006079 4/3/21
$300,000.00 Columbus Literacy Council 001899 2/20/22
$ 35,000.00 St. Stephens Community House 006082 6/4/22
$120,000.00 LifeCare Alliance 006078 12/16/21
$ 85,000.00 Mid-Ohio Board of Independent Living 004551 being updated
$110,000.00 Catholic Social Services 006067 being updated
$ 75,000.00 Community Refugee & Immigrant Services 005773 6/17/21
$ 55,000.00 Gladden Community House 006075 5/15/21
$1,035,000.00 Total
The COVID 19 pandemic has caused significant job loss, unemployment, and reduction of income within Columbus and Franklin County. As a result, a significant number of households have been unable to pay their utility bills. While utility providers have suspended shutoffs due to non-payment, the accumulating cost will only further destabilize at risk households when the suspensions are lifted.
This funding will be used to provide utility assistance to qualified individuals and households as well as associated administrative costs for expenses starting March 1, 2020.
The services included in this contract cannot be provided by existing city employees because these services are beyond the City’s current staffing capacity to provide.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that the organizations can begin providing additional 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 available in the Department of Development’s CARES Act budget (fund 2207, subfund 220702).
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to execute agreements with various social service agencies in a total amount up to $1,035,000.00 to provide utility assistance grants to qualified individuals and households; to authorize an expenditure up to $1,035,000.00 from the CARES Act Fund; to authorize the payment of expenses starting March 1, 2020; and to declare an emergency. ($1,035,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID 19 pandemic has resulted in significant job loss and unemployment within Columbus and Franklin County and a significant number of households have been unable to pay their utility bills. While utility providers have suspended shutoffs due to non-payment, the accumulating cost will only further destabilize at risk households; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding will be used to provide utility assistance to qualified individuals and households as well as associated administrative costs for expenses starting March 1, 2020, necessary to address significant job loss and unemployment within Columbus and Franklin County resulting a significant number of households have been unable to pay their utility bills ; 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 the Director to enter into agreements with various social service agencies so they can begin providing utility assistance grants as soon as possible, for the public health, safety and welfare; 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 agreements with the various social service agencies to allow them to begin providing utility assistance grants in an amount up to $1,035,000.00 effective March 1, 2020.
Amount Agency
$125,000.00 The Breathing Association
$ 55,000.00 YMCA
$ 55,000.00 Central Community House of Columbus Inc.
$ 20,000.00 Jewish Family Services
$300,000.00 Columbus Literacy Council
$ 35,000.00 St. Stephens Community House
$120,000.00 LifeCare Alliance
$ 85,000.00 Mid-Ohio Board of Independent Living
$110,000.00 Catholic Social Services
$ 75,000.00 Community Refugee & Immigrant Services
$ 55,000.00 Gladden Community House
$1,035,000.00 Total
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,035,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2207 (CARES Act), Dept Div 44 01 (Administration), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That these contracts are awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not for profit service contracts.
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, 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.