Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into an agreement with Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District to provide funding to the organization to develop up to five (5) public restroom facility structures in the City of Columbus’ downtown for an amount not to exceed $875,000.
There is currently limited access to public restrooms in the City’s downtown community. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased need for free and accessible public restrooms. The addition of free public restroom facilities in the City’s downtown will improve hygienic practices of visitors and the City’s transient population as we continue to recover from pandemic and mitigate the spread of the virus. With the return of conventions, sporting events, tourists and workers to the City this infrastructure will enhance the vibrancy of the area creating an accessible and welcoming environment.
The City of Columbus will complete an Environmental Review process, as well as a community planning process, before determining facility locations.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) proceeds will be used to fund this agreement. Capital Crossroads will serve as a grant subrecipient and will carry out eligible project management related activities on behalf of the City. CDBG regulations 24 CFR §570.500(c) define a subrecipient as a public or private nonprofit agency, authority, or organization receiving CDBG funds from the recipient (or another subrecipient) to undertake eligible activities. Capital Crossroads, as a subrecipient, ill follow all relevant federal procurement guidelines.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of up to $875,000.00 from funding provided to the City of Columbus from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act supplemental Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the city's accounting system as soon as possible and to ensure immediate funding can be provided to Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District for the development of public restroom facilities.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to enter into an agreement with Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District to provide funding to the organization to develop downtown public restroom facilities in the amount of $875,000.00; to authorize the appropriation of $875,000.00 from the unappropriated balance of the CDBG-CV Fund; to authorize the expenditure of up to $875,000.00 from the CDBG-CV Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($875,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City has received funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and 1977, and the Federal CARES Act; and
WHEREAS, the City is obligated to expend CDBG-CV funds to prepare for, prevent and respond to the Coronavirus pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus will complete an Environmental Review Record process and a community planning process before determining facilities locations; and
WHEREAS, the Coronavirus pandemic has increased the need for public restrooms in the downtown area so that visitors and transient persons can practice good hygiene; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is committed to funding safe and accessible public restroom facilities for unsheltered persons, individuals seeking services and doing business in the downtown area; and
WHEREAS, with the return of conventions, sporting events, tourists and workers to the City this infrastructure will enhance the vibrancy of the area creating an accessible and welcoming environment.
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate $875,000.00 to support the CDBG-CV program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into contract with Capital Crossroads to provide funding to develop downtown public restroom facilities in an amount not to exceed $875,000.00; and
WHEREAS, under 24 CFR §570.500(c), the City of Columbus may select an organization as a Subrecipient to undertake eligible Community Development Block Grant activities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has selected Capital Crossroads Special Improvements District, a 501.3c nonprofit, as a Subrecipient of Community Development Block funds to carryout eligible activities in order to develop new public facilities; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a contract with Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District to develop downtown public restroom facilities as soon as possible, all for the preservation of 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 Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District to support the development of public restroom facilities in the City of Columbus’ downtown community.
SECTION 2. That from the monies in the fund known as the Community Development Block Grants Fund, Fund No. 2248, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources during the 12 months ending December 31, 2021 the sum of $875,000.00 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Finance and Management, Department No. 45, Division No. 4501, per the attached accounting codes.
SECTION 3. To pay the cost of the contract, the expenditure of up to $875,000.00 is hereby authorized from the CDBG-CV fund, Fund 2248, Subfund 224850, per the attached accounting codes.
SECTION 4. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 3 shall be paid upon the order of the Director of Finance and Management, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 5. That at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused city match monies may be transferred back to the city fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.