Explanation
BACKGROUND: The City receives annual entitlement Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Columbus Urban League in the amount of $150,000.00 for the time period starting January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 to affirmatively further fair housing for the residents of the City of Columbus. CUL will conduct activities to reduce and eliminate legal and social barriers to housing opportunities, investigate all valid housing discrimination complaints and seek redress, develop testing procedures to determine the extent of discrimination, and promote awareness of equal housing opportunities in accordance the program goals and objectives set forth and approved in the 2020-2024 HUD Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan.
The Department of Finance and Management, Division of Grants Management solicited proposals to provide fair housing services and CUL submitted their response to the request for proposals (RFQ016856) in accordance with City procurement standards. CUL (FEID#31-4376453) is registered with the City of Columbus and contract compliance (CC006073) is effective until 4/24/2022.
Emergency action is requested to immediately enter into contract with the Columbus Urban League for the ongoing timely operation of the Fair Housing Program for the fiscal year 2021 beginning on January 1. This contract is for one (1) year with renewal options through 2024 upon mutual agreement by both parties
FISCAL IMPACT: This legislation will authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the 2021 Community Development Block Grant Fund. ($150,000.00) and is contingent on the passage of Ordinance 2469-2020 which appropriates the Action Plan CDBG funding
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into contract with the Columbus Urban League for the administration of the Fair Housing Program; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the Community Development Block Grant fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Management receives grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Community Development Block Grant programs to affirmatively further fair housing for the residents of the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Grants Management solicited proposals to provide fair housing services and Columbus Urban League submitted their response in accordance with City procurement standards; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into contract with Columbus Urban League (CUL) to administer the Fair Housing Program; and
WHEREAS, CUL will conduct activities to reduce and eliminate legal and social barriers to housing opportunities, investigate all valid housing discrimination complaints and seek redress, develop testing procedures to determine the extent of discrimination, promote awareness of equal housing opportunities in accordance the program goals and objectives set forth and approved in the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual and daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with the Columbus Urban League for the ongoing timely operation of the Fair Housing Program, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with Columbus Urban League for the administration of the Fair Housing Program for the time period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
SECTION 2. That this service contract is awarded in accordance to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to a competitive request for proposals.
SECTION 3. That to pay the cost of this contract the expenditure of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from CDBG Fund 2248 is hereby authorized 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 hereby 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.