BACKGROUND: The City of Columbus (The City) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan combines into a single submission the planning and application aspects of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs. This plan represents a continuing commitment to provide decent housing, suitable living environments, and expanded economic opportunities over the five-year period. Ordinance Number 2162-2019 adopted and authorized the submission of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan. The 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan includes the 2020 Annual Action Plan. The City of Columbus, Department of Finance and Management, Grants Management Section, is responsible for completing and submitting plans to HUD.
The City of Columbus is the recipient of $9,357,365 in funding from HUD’s allocation from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the Community Development Block Grant, referred to as CDBG-CV. The funds are intended to be used for activities that benefit low- to moderate-income persons; are designed to meet community development needs; or aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight. All activities funded by CDBG-CV must prevent, prepare for, and/or respond to COVID-19.
The City has reassessed funding and community needs for CDBG-CV funds. A third substantial amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan is required to propose changes to projects and funding allocations for the CDBG-CV grant dollars. This Ordinance authorizes the submission and filing of the third substantial amendment of the 2020 Annual Action Plan to rebudget funding to seven projects.
This Ordinance also requests that Council appropriate applicable funding and provide authorization to the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a subaward agreement with Sanctuary Night and modify a subaward agreement with Capital Crossroads Special Improvements District.
Emergency action is requested to advance projects in order to meet HUD expenditure deadlines.
FISCAL IMPACT: This Ordinance authorizes a third substantial amendment to be submitted to HUD for the 2020 Annual Action Plan in order to reallocate $4,068,840 of CDBG-CV funds across seven projects that will prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ordinance appropriates $4,068,840 in CDBG-CV funds for seven projects and authorizes the expenditure of $503,635 of CDBG-CV (2248) funds.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to submit the third substantial amendment to the City’s 2020 Annual Action Plan in order to allocate $4,068,840.00 of CDBG-CV funds across seven projects; to appropriate $4,068,840.00 in funds received from HUD for the CDBG-CV Program; to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a subaward agreement with Sanctuary Night in the amount of $100,000.00; and to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to modify the existing subaward with Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District to increase the budget by $403,635.00; and declare an emergency. ($503,635.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City was awarded $9,357,365 in CDBG-CV funding for community development projects or programs that prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the City amended the 2020 Annual Action Plan in May 2021 and September 2021 to authorize the use of CDBG-CV funds for certain projects and activities; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Management has collaborated with internal and external agencies, as well as the public, and reassessed CDBG-CV funding needs; and
WHEREAS, this substantial amendment is necessary to cancel the Columbus City Schools HVAC Improvements project budgeted for $4,068,840; and
WHEREAS, this substantial amendment is necessary to reduce the budget for the CDBG-CV funded Non-profits Neighborhood Facilities HVAC Improvements project to $388,000; and
WHEREAS, this substantial amendment is necessary to increase the budget for the Downtown Public Restrooms project by $403,635 to make a total budget $1,278,635 in order to construct three public restrooms in three locations in Downtown Columbus; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance allows for the modification of the subaward agreement with the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District; and
WHEREAS, this substantial amendment is necessary to budget $100,000 of CDBG-CV funding to Sanctuary Night to provide funding for programming for human trafficking prevention and victim support; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance allows for the creation of a subaward agreement with Sanctuary Night; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance authorizes the expenditure of CDBG-CV grant funding in the amounts of $100,000 for a subaward with Sanctuary Night and $403,635 for a subaward with Capital Crossroads Special Improvements District; and
WHEREAS, this substantial amendment is necessary to create a Renovations of Columbus Public Health Department Building project utilizing CDBG-CV funding in the amount of $1,797,205; and
WHEREAS, this substantial amendment is necessary to increase the CV-Safe Recreation project budget by $530,000 with a total budget $946,200; and
WHEREAS, this substantial amendment is necessary to budget $250,000 of CDBG-CV funding for the Broadband Access in Public Parks project to allow for increased access to WiFi in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, this substantial amendment is necessary to budget $1,500,000 of CDBG-CV funding to the Wheatland Farm Construction project for the Market Building construction, site infrastructure, and other site elements; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Management is completing a Citizen Participation process to gather feedback from the public on the FY 2020 Annual Action Plan Third Substantial Amendment; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management, Grants Management Section, in that it is immediately necessary to amend the 2020 Annual Action Plan and reallocate funding across selected projects to advance projects in order to meet HUD expenditure deadlines, thereby preserving the public health, safety and welfare;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is authorized to submit the third substantial amendment to the 2020 Annual Action Plan in order to reallocate $4,068,840 from the CDBG-CV funding across seven projects.
SECTION 2. That the amount of $4,068,840 is hereby appropriated from the awarded CDBG-CV funds for the projects referenced above.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is authorized to enter into a subaward agreement with Sanctuary Night.
SECTION 4. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is authorized to modify the subaward agreement with Capital Crossroads Special Improvements District.
SECTION 5. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is authorized to expend $503,635 from CDBG-CV (Fund 2248).
SECTION 6. 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 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all modifications associated with this Ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.