Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with LifeCare Alliance in support of the Meals-on-Wheels program.
Funds will be used to provide nutritious meals to older adults and individuals living with a medical challenge and/or disability in central Ohio. At $5.00/meal, funding will pay for 200,000 meals for clients living in the City of Columbus. Meals-on-Wheels provides food and healthy meals to older adults and individuals living with a medical challenge and/or disability in central Ohio. The program has experienced significant expansion as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic because it serves those most vulnerable to the virus - seniors and individuals with a medical challenge. LifeCare Alliance serves approximately 5,000 home-delivered meals per day (7,000 during COVID-19), and is the largest provider of senior meals senior meals through community dining centers in both central Ohio and the state, according to the Ohio Department of Aging.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Recovery Fund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any disruption of meal delivery service for seniors and vulnerable residents.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with LifeCare Alliance in support of the Meals-on-Wheels program; to authorize an expenditure within the Recovery fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant impact on food security, particularly among seniors and vulnerable residents; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act funding to sustain and enhance the Meals-on-Wheels program is necessary to address this food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency;
WHEREAS, Meals-on-Wheels provides food and healthy meals to older adults and individuals living with a medical challenge and/or disability in central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, LifeCare Alliance serves approximately 5,000 home-delivered meals per day (7,000 during COVID-19), and is the largest provider of senior meals senior meals through community dining centers in both central Ohio and the state; and
WHEREAS, funding will pay for 200,000 meals for clients living in the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with LifeCare Alliance to avoid any disruption of meal delivery service for seniors and vulnerable residents, in order to preserve the health, welfare, and safety of residents; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with LifeCare Alliance in support of the Meals-on-Wheels program.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of up to $1,000,000.00 or so much thereof that may be necessary in regard to the action authorized in Sections 1, be and is hereby authorized and approved from the Recovery Fund 2209 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 modifications 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.