Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $500,000.00 for the purpose of administering the Business District Safety Enhancement Program. Through this program, the Department of Public Safety will work in conjunction with the Division of Police and the Short North Alliance to develop plans to appropriately deter crime and improve safety in Columbus’ business districts.
In 2022 and 2023, the City of Columbus funded the Business District Safety Enhancement Program which resulted in a significant reduction of crime. There is a need for a continuation of this funding from the City of Columbus to supplement safety enhancements in the Short North business. The Short North Alliance will utilize this funding in support of their violent crime interdiction programs, which utilize law enforcement personnel serving in a special duty capacity, educational campaigns, and community outreach workers in an effort to prevent and address violent crime.
This neighborhood safety program is part of a much larger community investment strategy employed by the City to provide safe and resilient communities. The City of Columbus has utilized a community wide approach under a number of assistance programs including summer youth safety programming as well as numerous Neighborhood Safety Grants. The City will make additional neighborhood safety investments in subsequent ordinances.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so that necessary funds can be provided to the Short North Alliance to adequately plan in advance of the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons.
Fiscal Impact: $500,000.00 is budgeted and available within the Public Safety Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a grant agreement with the Short North Alliance in support of the Business District Safety Enhancements Program; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $500,000.00 within the Public Safety Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a grant agreement with the Short North Alliance to administer the Business District Safety Enhancement Program; and
WHEREAS, an expenditure of funding is necessary to ensure that Columbus business districts remain safe for residents, business owners, employees, patrons, and visitors as our community continues to address violent crime; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with the Short North Alliance so that immediate steps can be taken to make safety enhancements in advance of the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Public Safety is authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Short North Alliance, for an amount up to $500,000.00, in support of the Business District Safety Enhancement Program.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $500,000.00 within the Public Safety Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100016, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purposes stated in Sections 1, the expenditure of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the Public Safety Initiatives subfund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 ordinance and to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City's financial records.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, the City Auditor shall establish such account codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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.