Explanation
This ordinances authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Service to enter into grant agreements with various social service agencies in support of the Cleaner Columbus Employment Program.
According to a July study on the impact of COVID-19 in major US cities, more than half of residents report experiencing serious financial problems. The Cleaner Columbus Employment Program will offer residents in five neighborhoods the opportunity to have temporary employment for two weeks. This will provide temporary assistance due to financial hardship experienced because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Temporary workers will be paid a minimum of $15 per hour, and will be deployed within neighborhoods to perform litter cleanup and neighborhood beautification. The agencies receiving the grant funds will prioritize enrolling residents that have experienced employment disruption.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the CARES Act fund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in providing the resources necessary to initiate the Cleaner Columbus Employment Program for those who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to enter into grant agreements with various social service agencies in support of the Cleaner Columbus Employment Program; to authorize a transfer of appropriations and an expenditure within the CARES Act fund; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in major U.S. cities, more than half of residents report experiencing serious financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, by offering temporary employment the Cleaner Columbus Employment Program will offer financial resources to some of our most vulnerable residents; and
WHEREAS, litter has served as a constant nuisance in some of our low-income neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of CARES Act funding is necessary to address the challenges of unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to authorize grant agreements with the aforementioned agencies in order to deploy resources for neighborhood beautification prior to the colder winter months; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Service is hereby authorized to enter into grant agreements with social service agencies in support of Cleaner Columbus Employment Program as follows:
Agency Amount
New Salem Baptist Church Community of Caring Development Foundation $50,000.00
Greater Hilltop Area Shalom Zone $50,000.00
Community Development for All People $50,000.00
Africentric Personal Development Shop $50,000.00
Franklinton Board of Trade $50,000.00
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer appropriations within the CARES Act fund, fund 2207, subfund 220702, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $250,000.00 within the CARES Act fund, fund 2207, subfund 220702, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance, 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 its approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.