Explanation
This ordinance authorizes Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with the Urban Lacrosse Academy in support of COVID-19 safe recreational activities.
Urban Lacrosse Academy’s mission is to provide youth within urban communities exposure to the game of lacrosse. The Academy offers physical and mental conditioning on the field with off the field education/mentoring, while creating opportunities in the classroom and beyond. Coaches and mentors provide a framework to introduce a new activity with the long-term goal of evolving student athletes to compete in high school and beyond. Through the instruction of the game of lacrosse, achievements are celebrated, struggles are overcome and many life lessons can be taught. Ultimately, this opportunity will broaden horizons and possibly help students pursue college athletics.
In these times of uncertainty and increased violence, first responders seen as coaches and mentors can decrease the mistrust and division between those sworn to protect and serve and those they serve. The Academy teams will represent their neighborhoods and participate in community service. In the time of COVID-19, Urban Lacrosse Academy can provide a safe alternative to unsupervised activities.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the CARES Act fund.
Emergency action is requested in order to immediately provide the Urban Lacrosse Academy with the resources necessary to provide needed recreational programming.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with the Urban Lacrosse Academy in support of COVID-19 safe recreational activities; to authorize an expenditure within the CARES Act fund; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Urban Lacrosse Academy’s mission is to provide youth within urban communities exposure to the game of lacrosse; and
WHEREAS, coaches and mentors provide a framework to introduce a new activity with the long-term goal of evolving student athletes to compete in high school and beyond; and
WHEREAS, in the time of COVID-19, Urban Lacrosse Academy can provide a safe alternative to unsupervised activities; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in reduced opportunities for youth recreation that would traditionally be available through schools; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding to support the Urban Lacrosse Academy is necessary to address the deficit in recreational opportunities for youths in Columbus neighborhoods 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 business of the city in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement with the Urban Lacrosse Academy in support of COVID-19 safe recreational programming, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Columbus City Council is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Urban Lacrosse Academy in support of COVID-19 safe recreational activities.
SECTION 2. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $10,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.