City of Columbus - File #: 1021-2023

• File #: 1021-2023
• Version: 2
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 3/28/2023
• In control: Health & Human Services Committee
• On agenda: 4/24/2023
• Final action: 4/26/2023
• Title: To authorize the appropriation and expenditure of an amount not to exceed $230,000.00 from the Neighborhood Economic Development Fund and to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of an amount not to exceed $35,000.00 from the General Fund - Neighborhood Initiative Subfund; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development, or designee, to execute a grant agreement with the Tony R Wells Foundation dba The Wells Foundation in an amount not to exceed $265,000.00 to provide a one-time cash payment and furniture directly to each leaseholder that was displaced from the Latitude Five25 apartment complex on December 25, 2022, and to pay for expenses incurred before the purchase order was approved; to authorize the advancement of funds; and to declare an emergency. ($265,000.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
4/26/2023	2	CITY CLERK	Attest
4/25/2023	2	MAYOR	Signed
4/24/2023	2	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
4/24/2023	1	Columbus City Council	Amended as submitted to the Clerk	Pass
4/24/2023	1	Columbus City Council	Approved as Amended	Pass
4/24/2023	2	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
4/3/2023	1	Columbus City Council	Postponed to Date Certain	Pass

Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development, or his designee, to execute a grant agreement with the Tony R Wells Foundation dba The Wells Foundation in an amount not to exceed $265,000.00 of Neighborhood Economic Development funds ($230,000.00) and Neighborhood Initiative Subfund ($35,000.00) to provide a one-time cash payment and furniture directly to each leaseholder displaced from the Latitude Five25 apartment complex on December 25, 2022 and to pay for expenses incurred before the purchase order was approved.

On December 25, 2022, Latitude Five25 - an apartment complex located at 525 Sawyer Blvd., Columbus, Ohio - was declared unsafe due to bursting pipes and resulting flooding. As a result, the 154 households in the apartment complex had to be immediately evacuated.

An emergency shelter was established at Dodge Recreation Center to serve the displaced tenants. Given the extensive damage to the apartment complex, the City of Columbus, in partnership with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, provided resources for temporary housing in motels, relocation services, and rental assistance.

On February 16, 2023, the Environmental Court of Franklin County found the ownership of Latitude Five25 in contempt and ordered a fine of $2,500,000.00 to compensate former tenants for damages and losses suffered as a result of the Christmas Day evacuation. However, shortly after the judgment was issued, PAXE, the property owner, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy thereby delaying these payments indefinitely.

As of March 23, 2023, 109 households have been approved for new units with 65 moves completed. There is an immediate need for additional resources so that these households are able to re-establish their families in their new locations and acquire the household items that they need. Payment amounts will be calculated based on household size and monthly expense estimates as provided by the IRS and FEMA. Additional...