Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the North Market Development Authority in an amount up to $500,000.00 for the purpose of providing support to the organization in its efforts to assist small business merchants currently located in the North Market who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19; to provide new merchant start up assistance to bring emerging businesses to the North Market; and to increase the use of technology that will result in an increase in sales in a safer, less contact manner to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
The North Market is a destination that serves over one million guests each year and is consistently ranked as one of the top public markets in the country. The North Market proudly provides an authentic Columbus, Ohio experience that highlights the diversity and vibrancy of our community, both economically and culturally, by promoting and incubating “best in class” local, independent businesses. The Market’s heritage can be traced back to 1876. Across many transitions, economic ups and downs, and countless merchants, vendors, and visitors, North Market stands today, stronger than ever, as a symbol of our community’s resilience, cultural diversity, and success.
These services provided by the North Market Development Authority cannot be provided by existing city employees because these services are beyond the City’s current staffing capacity to provide.
Emergency legislation is requested in order to encumber funds in a timely manner so the North Market can expend the funds before the end of the year.
Contract Compliance: the vendor number and contractor compliance is pending.
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 220703).
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to execute a grant agreement with the North Market Development Authority for the purpose of providing support to the organization in its efforts to assist small business merchants in the North Market who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19; to authorize an expenditure up to $500,000.00 from the CARES Act Fund; to authorize the payment of expenses starting March 1, 2020; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the North Market is a long standing public market in Columbus that is an incubator and innovator of small businesses while providing the residents local products and cultural vibrancy; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in some small businesses closing and others being severely negatively impacted by the pandemic, and has forced businesses to rethink how products are sold to the public during a pandemic; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding to assist with bringing new businesses to the North Market; assist existing business who have stayed, but have been negatively impacted; and to allow for technology innovation of points of sale, is necessary to address the economic downturn 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 enter into a grant agreement with North Market Development Authority in order to encumber funds in a timely manner so the North Market can expend the funds before the end of the year, such immediate action being necessary for the preservation of the public health, peace, property and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into grant agreement with North Market Development Authority to provide assistance to small businesses and to utilize technology to re-imagine the point of sale of goods at the market beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending November 30, 2020 in an amount up to $500,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the agency identified in Section 1 seeking financial assistance to address an emergency economic need is awarded pursuant to Columbus City Codes, 1959 Sections 329.29 and 329.30.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $500,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 2207, subfund 220703 (CARES Act Fund), Dept. 44-02 (Economic Development), in Object Class 03 (Services) 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 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.