Explanation
Background:
This ordinance is necessary to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $1,500,000.00 of Community Development Block Grant funding for the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a funding agreement with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective for the development of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective Wheatland Farm. The City’s Community Development Block Grant investment in the Mid-Ohio Food Collective Wheatland Farm will assist in the transformation of a City of Columbus Land Bank property into a smart farm and neighborhood facility for the purpose of educating and engaging the community through urban agriculture and healthy foods programming.
This investment is aligned with goals established by the community as part of the Envision Hilltop community plan. The proposed project is also aligned with the Hilltop Land Use Plan which recommends an agricultural use for the property.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes an appropriation and expenditure of up to $1,500,000 from funding provided to the City of Columbus from federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, Fund 2248, through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow for the financial transaction to be posted in the City's accounting system as soon as possible to ensure immediate funding can be provided through the execution of an agreement in order to advance community plan implementation and begin project construction as soon as possible.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into an agreement with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to provide funding to develop the Mid-Ohio Food Collective Wheatland Farm, located at 116 N. Wheatland Avenue; to authorize the Director to execute other agreements with Mid-Ohio Food Collective that are deemed necessary for the development of the project and use thereof; to authorize the transfer, appropriation and expenditure of $1,500,000.00 from the Community Development Block Grants Fund 2248; and to declare an emergency. ($1,500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City is supportive of the Hilltop community and wishes to expand programs and services to better serve the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, the City commissioned a comprehensive community plan in an effort to revitalize the Hilltop community; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods desires to enter into a funding agreement with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to support the development of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective Wheatland Farm at 116 N. Wheatland Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus will complete an Environmental Review process before the Director executes a funding agreement; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has selected the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, a 501.(C)(3) nonprofit entity, as a Subrecipient of Community Development Block funds to carryout eligible Community Development Block Grant activities in order to develop a new neighborhood facility; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $1,500,000 within the CDBG Fund 2248 in accordance with the 2021 Annual Action Plan as approved by Council; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $1,500,000 from the CDBG Fund 2248; and
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective will execute a Ground Lease Agreement with the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective will administer the development of the project and programs at the completed urban farm and neighborhood facility; and
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective Wheatland Farm project development shall include the construction of a building, driveways, parking lots, utility services, landscaped areas, park/greenspace, high tunnels, and other items; and
WHEREAS, through this project the Envision Hilltop plan will be advanced and the new facility will provide the community with critical and stable access to healthy, fresh food and space for ongoing community engagement; 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 of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into contract with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective to in order to advance community plan implementation and begin project construction, thereby advancing the public health, and welfare; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the appropriation and expenditure of Community Development Block Grant funds from this authorization will be for the provision of the development of 116 N. Wheatland Avenue to further establish a farm, market and education space on the Hilltop by the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into an agreement to provide funding to support construction costs related to the development of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective Wheatland Farm at 116 N. Wheatland Avenue and to enter into other necessary agreements relating to project development and use thereof, with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, and to expend $1,500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2248, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modification associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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.