Explanation
This ordinance will authorize the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks to enter into a contract with Community for New Direction (CND) in the amount of $429,500.00 to provide violence interruption and crisis response activities that include responding to specific violent confrontations, working to mediate and diffuse conflict tensions, and actively promoting peace building among our youth. Contractor shall maintain a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week schedule to respond to calls regarding youth violence confrontations such as shootings, aggravated assaults, homicides, and other violent incidents.
Background: The Contractor shall respond to incidents or conflicts within their assigned zone(s) or may impact their assigned zone(s). The Contractor shall also provide support services to victims' families and friends. Support services will be provided after making initial contact with victims’ families and friends at the scene of an incident, hospital or at a time and location chosen by the victims’ families and friends. Support services can also include Contractor attending funerals, vigils, peace marches, etc. Additionally, Community Intervention Workers shall participate in Neighborhood Violence Interruption (NVI) activities and initiatives focusing on reducing youth violence citywide and improving community collaborations to support the NVI initiative. Community for New Direction will hold a surety bond in the amount of $100,000.00 and Certificate of Insurance as required by the City.
Principal Parties:
John Dawson, CEO
Community for New Direction
2323 W. 5th Avenue Suite 160
Columbus, Ohio 43204
(614) 272.1464
Contractor Federal ID #: 31-1430278
Areas Affected: The primary focus areas of Community for New Direction will be west and north zones.
Emergency Justification: an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks in that the prior contract with CND has expired and it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a contract with the Community for New Directions so that the Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program can continue without interruption.
Bid Waiver Justification: A bid waiver under City Code Section 329.15 is requested in order to maintain consistency with the program participants and the vendor (interventionists). CND has been working with the NVI program for several years; they know the program participants, the youth and young adults in the community and have established relationships with them. It is important to keep the continuity of these relationships and trust. A new vendor would have to come in and start from the very beginning to obtain this knowledge, understanding, and trust.
Fiscal Impact:
The amount of $429,500.00 has been transferred for this project from the General Fund to the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund 2285 to properly align the expenditure with the Department of Recreation and Parks, who will be managing the contract with Community for New Direction. Accordingly, this ordinance is contingent on the passage of Ordinance 1127-2023.
Benefits to the Public: Providing violence intervention and prevention strategies with a primary focus on 14-23 year-olds.
Community Input/Issues: Addressing the need for increased positive youth engagement, development and mentorship to combat youth involved violence.
Master Plan Relation: Implementing strategies to vulnerable residents in targeted neighborhoods to ensure equal access to critical resources and opportunities for success for all.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with the Community for New Direction for services related to the implementation of the 2023 Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program; to authorize the expenditure in an amount not to exceed $429,500.00 from the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund 2285; to waive the competitive bidding provisions as permitted under Columbus City Code Section 329.15; and to declare an emergency. ($429,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks to enter into a contract with Community for New Direction ("CND") for services related to the Neighborhood Violence Intervention (NVI) Program to provide violence interruption and crisis response activities that include responding to specific violent confrontations, working to mediate and diffuse conflict tensions, and actively promoting peace building among our youth. CND will maintain a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week schedule to respond to calls regarding youth violence confrontations such as shootings, aggravated assaults, homicides, and other violent incidents and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $429,500.00 from the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund 2285 to fund this contract; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon the passage of Ordinance 1127-2023 by Council for the appropriation of funds for this contract; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Department of Recreation and Parks to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code because this vendor has many years of experience working with the City's Recreation and Parks Department; and it has intrinsic knowledge and understanding of the NVI program and its evolution providing continuity of service; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with CND so that the Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program can continue without interruption; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks is authorized to enter into contract with Community for New Direction for services related to the Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program in an amount not to exceed $429,500.00.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $429,500.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is authorized to be expended from the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund 2285 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance, contingent upon passage of Ordinance 1127-2023 by Council for the appropriation of funds needed to fund this contract.
SECTION 4. That this Council finds it in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter Section 329.15 to enter into this contract, as CND has been providing these services for several years, and the providing a continuity of services is important to the success of the NVI program.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.