Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter a grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board in an amount up to $184,340.00 to provide housing support and service coordination for the residents of the Latitude Five25 apartment complex and a contribution to the Landlord Mitigation Fund.
On Dec. 25, 2022, Latitude Five25 - an apartment complex located at 525 Sawyer Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43203, was declared unsafe due to burst pipes and subsequent flooding. As a result 150 households in the apartment complex were immediately evacuated.
With assistance from the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus and the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), an emergency shelter was established at the Dodge Recreation Center to serve the tenants. Given the extensive damage and long standing need for complex-wide repairs a longer term relocation option for residents is necessary.
The Community Shelter Board mobilized to provide temporary housing in motels for over 140 individuals- coordinating accommodations, meals, transportation, and linkage to on-site county agencies.
Recognizing the extensive damage to the complex as well as the ongoing litigation to hold the property owners accountable, the City of Columbus, in partnership with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners who have provided funding in the amount of $750,000.00, seeks to provide support for the displaced residents.
Each household is eligible for three months of accommodations and services as they work with relocation specialists to identify long-term housing options. Services available include delivery of meals, transportation, staffing costs, as well as security services.
Emergency action is requested to provide temporary housing and basic needs assistance to currently displaced residents.
FISCAL IMPACT: $184,340.00 will be transferred from General Fund Citywide Account; contingent on the passage of the 2023 General Fund Operating Budget, Ordinance No. 2936-2022.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 004795 and expires on 1/10/2024.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board in an amount up to $184,340.00 to provide housing support and service coordination for the residents of the Latitude Five25 apartment complex; to authorize the transfer of $184,340.00 from the General Fund Citywide Account to the Department of Development General Fund Budget, to authorize the expenditure of $184,340.00 from the 2023 General Fund Budget; to approve expenditures incurred prior the approval of the purchase order; and to declare an emergency. ($184,340.00)
Body
WHEREAS, On Dec. 25, 2022, Latitude Five25 - an apartment complex located at 525 Sawyer Blvd., Columbus, Ohio was declared unsafe due to burst pipes and resulting flooding; and
WHEREAS, as a result 150 households in the apartment complex had to be immediately vacated; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the extensive damage to the complex as well as the ongoing litigation to hold the property owners accountable the City of Columbus in partnership with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners are providing resources to support the engagement of a relocation specialist to work with tenants to identify new housing options; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to enter into a grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board to assist the organization in providing housing support and service coordination for the residents of the Latitude Five25 apartment complex and a contribution to the Landlord Mitigation Fund; and
WHEREAS, each household is eligible for three months of accommodations and services as they work with relocation specialists to identify long-term housing options; and
WHEREAS, services include delivery of meals, transportation, staffing costs, as well as security services; 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 of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board to provide housing support and service coordination for the residents of the Latitude Five25 apartment complex; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Community Shelter Board in an amount up to $184,340.00 to provide housing support and service coordination for the residents of the Latitude Five25 apartment complex.
Section 2. That Columbus City Council hereby determines that the purchase and distribution of food and beverages, as related to the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, is for a public purpose and is authorized.
Section 3. That the transfer of $184,340.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept.-Div 45-01 (Financial Management), object class 10 (Transfer Out Operating) to Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), object class 05 (Other) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
Section 4. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $184,340.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept. 44-01 (Administration), in Object Class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attached to this ordinance.
Section 5. That this agreement is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
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 contracts and contract 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.
Section 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.