Explanation
BACKGROUND: In 2014 President Obama called on cities, non-profits, and the private sector to collaborate and close opportunity gaps for boys and young men of color (B&YMOC). Columbus was one of the first cities to answer this call. The city and partner organizations brought together more than 500 B&YMOC to ensure that Columbus’ My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) work was grounded in testimony from the target population. Numerous non-profit service providers, schools, and companies have created programs to serve vulnerable youth of color since the launch of the national MBK initiative.
In 2021, the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods contracted with Reach Communication to design and implement a youth violence prevention campaign that will increase adult and service provider engagement in support of youth ages 14 to 22. To date, partners and youth service providers have been identified and phase 2 will pilot intervention that includes two (2) cohorts of youth from the Linden and Hilltop neighborhoods.
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a contract with Reach Communications in an amount up to $340,000.00 to implement the expansion of the extensive, city-wide community-mobilization process, with a focus on reducing and disrupting youth violence in Columbus. It is in the City's best interests to waive competitive bidding to enter into this contract.
Emergency Action is requested in order to immediately implement and expand existing programming to address neighborhood violence impacting boys and young men of color.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available in the Department of Neighborhoods general operating budget, Fund 1000.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a contract with Reach Communications in an amount up to $340,000.00 to implement the expansion of the extensive, city-wide community-mobilization process, with a focus on reducing and disrupting youth violence in Columbus; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code; to authorize the expenditure of up to $340,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($340,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the expenditure of funds within the General Fund is needed to address the intersection of structural inequities and social determinates of health that has manifested in negative coping behaviors in marginalized communities; and,
WHEREAS, The Mayor and City Council are committed to the mission and work of the My Brother’s Keeper; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 to execute a contract with Reach Communications to develop a protective factor approach to prevent youth violence; 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 contract with Reach Communications to address rising neighborhood violence, in order to preserve the public peace, property, health or safety, 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 a contract with Reach Communications in an amount up to $340,000.00 to implement the expansion of the extensive, city-wide community-mobilization process, with a focus on reducing and disrupting youth violence in Columbus.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $340,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 Subfund 100010 (General 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 this Council finds it to be in the best interest of the City to waive the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to Competitive bidding for this contract.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.