Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a grant agreement with Elements of Change in support of their End the Violence community violence intervention program.
End the Violence (ETV) is a crisis management and intervention program that leverages the widely-recognized “credible messengers” approach to stemming violence before it escalates. ETV utilizes a team of community-based interventionists to provide alternative activities for residents who may otherwise engage in criminal and/or violence activity. ETV’s goals are to engage underserved hotspots in a culturally-informed manner, provide close-to-home work opportunities with pay, and to expose residents to opportunities for sustainable employment paying a living wage. In addition, ETV interventionists provide continuity and connections to supportive services to residents needing additional ongoing assistance.
This funding is expected to support five community interventionists working throughout Columbus neighborhoods, as well as the funding necessary to support the activities that engage youths and residents most at-risk of engaging in violence. Elements of Change will potentially subcontract with Columbus NextGen Corporation with regard to tracking and reporting on the use of grant funds. Distribution of funds to Elements of Change will be executed in two equal tranches, with a report to the community preceding the distribution of the second tranche.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Reimagine Safety subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to immediately address rising neighborhood violence in Columbus.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a grant agreement with Elements of Change in support of community violence intervention; to authorize an appropriation within the Reimagine Safety subfund; to authorize a transfer and appropriation of funds; to authorize an expenditure of $500,000.00 within the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, End the Violence (ETV) is a crisis management and intervention program that leverages the widely-recognized “credible messengers” approach to stemming violence before it escalates; and
WHEREAS, ETV utilizes a team of community-based interventionists to provide alternative activities for residents who may otherwise engage in criminal and/or violence activity; and
WHEREAS, this funding will support five community interventionists, as well as the activities that ETV provides as alternatives to engaging in violent behavior; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is necessary to authorize a grant agreement with Elements of Change in order to immediately address rising neighborhood violence in Columbus; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Finance and Management is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a grant agreement with Elements of Change in support of community violence intervention.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $500,000.00 to the Department of Finance and Management within the Reimagine Safety fund in object class 10-Transfers, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $500,000.00 from the Reimagine Safety subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100019, to the general fund, fund 1000, subfund 100010, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $500,000.00 to the Department of Finance and Management within the general fund, fund 1000, subfund 100010, in 03-Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That per the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $500,000.00 is hereby authorized.
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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.