Explanation
BACKGROUND: In 2014, the White House, under President Barack Obama, launched the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. Through this initiative, the Administration called on cities, businesses, and foundations to take important steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and help them gain the skills they need to find a good job or go to college and work their way into the middle class. The milestones associated with the My Brother’s Keeper initiative include having young people enter school ready to learn, reading at grade level by third grade, graduating from high school ready for college, completing post-secondary education or training, successfully entering the workforce, and providing a second chance to those with past criminal offenses. In responding to the call to action, the Department of Neighborhoods established the My Brother’s Keeper Village to be the hub of all work throughout the City of Columbus.
Due to the effects of COVID-19, the City of Columbus recognizes many organizations providing summer employment opportunities may not have the capacity to do so in 2021.
Grants will be awarded to the African American Male Wellness Walk, Community for New Directions, Columbus Fashion Alliance, The Columbus Urban League, Legacy U. The nonprofit organizations will serve at-risk boys and young men of color between the ages of 14-24 to help ease the challenges families face due to the current public health emergency.
The services included in this contract cannot be provided by existing city employees because these services are beyond the City’s current responsibility and capacity to provide.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that students can benefit from summer employment opportunities.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $1,260,125.00 from the General Fund collectively with African American Male Wellness Walk, Community for New Directions, Columbus Fashion Alliance, The Columbus Urban League, and Legacy U to add needed capacity to address COVID-19 specific services for boys and young men of color.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor’s vendor number are:
African American Male Wellness 008384 and is pending
Community for New Directions 005361 and is valid from 8/24/2020-8/24/2022
Columbus Fashion Alliance 031541 and is pending
Columbus Urban League 006073 and is valid from 4/24/20-4/24/2022
Legacy U 032877 and is valid from 7/1/2020-7/1/2022
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into grant agreements with the African American Male Wellness Walk, Community for New Directions, Columbus Fashion Alliance, The Columbus Urban League, and Legacy U in an amount up to $1,260,125.00 to add needed capacity to address COVID-19 specific services for boys and young men of color; to authorize the transfer of $1,260,125.00 within the General Fund: to authorize the expenditure of up to $1,260,125.00 from the General Fund; to authorize the payment of expenses starting June 1, 2021; and to declare an emergency. ($1,260,125.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the lack of summer employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, The Mayor and City Council are committed to the mission and work of the My Brother’s Keeper; and,
WHEREAS, the transfer and expenditure of funds within the General Fund is needed to address unforeseen needs within the population of boys and young men of color caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into grants amd non-profit agreements with the African American Male Wellness Walk, Columbus Fashion Alliance, Columbus Urban League, Community for New Directions, and Legacy U to allow these providers to provide additional COVID-19 related services to its members and the non-profit sector; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods is hereby authorized to enter into grant agreements with the following organizations to allow them to begin providing additional COVID-19 specific services to its members and the non-profit sector in an amount up to $1,260,125.00 effective June 1, 2021.
African American Male Wellness $170,000
Community for New Directions $370,000
Columbus Fashion Alliance $300,000
Columbus Urban League $326,700
Legacy U $93,425
SECTION 2: That the transfer of $1,260,125.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized within the General Fund 1000, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3: That the expenditure of up to $1,260,125.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in the General Fund 1000, Dept-Div 48-01, 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 legislation.
SECTION 6: 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