Explanation
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize Columbus City Council to modify and increase a grant agreement with Columbus Next Generation Corporation (CNGC) to provide rental and mortgage assistance to Linden and surrounding area residents and small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The original ordinance, 2079-2020, was passed on September 21, 2020 using $228,336.00 in funding from the CARES Act fund.
The Greater Linden Rental and Mortgage Assistance project provides rental and/or mortgage assistance to residents and small businesses in South and North Linden neighborhoods that have been impacted by COVID-19. CNGC is partnering with C.R.A.C.K. House Ministries, which provides the necessary administrative support to accept and process applications for the assistance to residents and business owners. CNGC is overseeing the application approval process. The funds are utilized to pay up to $6,000 of delinquent rents/mortgages per applicant/address. Funds can also be utilized to cover delinquent electric and/or water charges if they are included as part of the monthly rent or mortgage.
In discussions with CNGC staff, there have been numerous requests for assistance from individuals outside of, but adjacent to the Linden area (zip codes 43224 and 43219). In an effort to afford assistance to some of those individuals, Council intends to modify and increase the grant agreement to expand the service area of the program and add additional funding.
Columbus City Council is supporting this project with $53,101.00 in funding from the CARES Act fund.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested in order to immediately provide the funds necessary to assist the residents and businesses in need.
FISCAL IMPACT: Total appropriation is $53,101.00 and is available in the CARES Act fund.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to modify and increase a grant agreement with the Columbus Next Generation Corporation in support of the Greater Linden Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program; to authorize a transfer of appropriations within the CARES Act fund; to authorize an expenditure of $53,101.00 within the CARES Act fund; and to declare an emergency. ($53,101.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented job losses and affected the ability of many Columbus residents to cover their basic needs, including rents and mortgages; and
WHEREAS, the goal of Columbus Next Generation Corporation is to transform communities into vibrant and productive places desired by both residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the federal CARES Act has provided additional resources for states and cities across the country to address community needs as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding to provide rent and mortgage assistance is necessary to address the needs of Linden residents and businesses who have fallen behind on payments due to the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, there have been numerous requests for assistance from individuals outside of, but adjacent to the Linden area; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to afford assistance to some of those individuals, Council intends to modify and increase the grant agreement to expand the service area of the program and add additional funding; and
WHEREAS, $53,101.00 is available in the CARES Act fund for appropriation and expenditure to provide for this need; 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 City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize City Council to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Next Generation Corporation to ensure it has the ability to offer this funding to assist the residents and businesses in Linden and surrounding neighborhoods that have been impacted by COVID-19, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That Columbus City Council is hereby authorized to modify and increase a grant agreement with the Columbus Next Generation Corporation in support of the Greater Linden Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program.
SECTION 2: That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer appropriations within the CARES Act fund, fund 2207, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3: That the expenditure of $53,101.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the CARES Act fund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 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.