…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 2022.
Through the American Rescue Plan, up to $487,825 is allocated to distribute to qualified Columbus area nonprofit agencies. Subaward grant agreements will be awarded to Always with Us Charities, Look Ma No Hands and Classic for Columbus on behalf of GETCR8V. 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. Importantly, all expenses must be eligible under the United States Treasury American Rescue Plan guidelines. Expenses must be necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) between March 10, 2021 and December 31, 2024.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that students can benefit from summer employment opportunities.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is provided to the City of Columbus from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund passed by Congress on March 10, 2021 and signed into law on March 11, 2021.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor’s vendor number are
Always with Us Charities 018333 and is pending
Look Ma No Hands 041882 and is effective 5/18/22 - 5/18/24
The Classic for Columbus on behalf of GETCR8V 038443 and is effective 7/13/22 - 7/13/23
Title
To authorize the expenditure of up to $487,825 within the Department of Neighborhoods; to authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into subaward grant agreements with Always with Us Charities, Look Ma No Hands and Classic for Columbus on behalf of GETCR8V in an amount up to $487,825 to add needed capacity to address COVID-19 specific services for boys and young men of color; to authorize the payment of expenses starting May 16, 2022; and to declare an emergency. ($487,825)
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, expenditure of funds is necessary within the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to address unforeseen needs within the population of boys and young men of color caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and,
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for within the 2022 Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods such that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into subaward grant agreements with the non-profit organizations Always with Us Charities, Look Ma No Hands and Classic for Columbus on behalf of GETCR8V to allow them to immediately provide additional COVID-19 specific services to their 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 subaward grant agreements with the following organizations to allow them to begin providing additional COVID-19 specific services to their members and the non-profit sector in an amount up to 487,825 effective May 16, 2022.
Always with Us Charities $147,625
Look Ma No Hands $40,200
Classic for Columbus on behalf of GETCR8V $300,000
SECTION 2: That the expenditure of up to $487,825 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2209 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, Dept-Div 48-01, in object class 03 (Services) 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 legislation.
SECTION 5: 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.