…BACKGROUND:
COVID-19 and the public health response that has been needed to reduce the spread of the disease and save lives has revealed significant disparities among our Columbus residents. The City of Columbus is responding to those disparities through the 2022 Youth/Community Empowerment Grant program and other investments focused on building up our neighborhoods. These funds will be invested in community groups providing direct assistance at the grassroots level for our youth and families in the City of Columbus.
Through the American Rescue Plan, this legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into subaward grant agreements with Community of Caring Development Foundation, and Africentric Personal Development Shop in an amount up to $400,000.00 to add needed support services during COVID-19 for youth and families in the City of Columbus; this legislation also authorizes the expenditure of up to $400,000.00 for these services within the Department of Neighborhoods' allocation in Fund 2209. 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 youth and family empowerment funding is available during the summer and academic year school.
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 numbers are:
Africentric Personal Development Shop Inc. 033495 9/15/2020 - 9/15/2022
Community of Caring Development Foundation 026987 and is effective 6/14/21 - 6/14/23
Title
To authorize the expenditure of up to $400,000 within the Department of Neighborhoods; to authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into subaward grant agreements with Community of Caring Development Foundation, and Africentric Personal Development Shop in an amount up to $400,000 to add needed support services during COVID-19 for youth and families in the City of Columbus; and to declare an emergency. ($400,000)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the increased need for job readiness and academic enrichment for youth and families; and
WHEREAS, The Mayor and City Council are committed to improving economic stability, stronger health and wellbeing, and safer, more resilient neighborhoods; and,
WHEREAS, expenditure of funds is necessary within the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to address unforeseen needs of youth and families 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 in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into subaward grant agreements with the Africentric Professional Development Shop and Community Development of Caring to allow them to immediately provide additional COVID-19 specific services to the youth and families of Columbus; 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 Africentric Professional Development Shop and Community Development of Caring Foundation to allow them to begin providing additional COVID-19 specific services to youth and families in Columbus in an amount up to $400,000.
Africentric Professional Development Shop $200,000
Community of Caring Development Foundation $200,000
SECTION 2: That the expenditure of up to $400,000 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.