Explanation
Background:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a grant agreement with The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation in support of the Jump Start College Tour.
Since December 24, 2001, The Willie & Vivian Gaddis Foundation has been a publicly supported non-profit organization established to empower children and youth by promoting and providing educational and artistic opportunities for those at risk among this population. To date, the Foundation has made 85 visits and tours of and universities with more than 800 youth. This summer, the Foundation is planning to engage youths with an HBCU-specific tour, involving 5-6 days of intensive campus visits and historical sites, as well as pre-tour college awareness sessions that consist of guidance around discovering individual potential, utilizing the resources around you, and critical components for selecting, applying for, and financing a college or university. Even though participants may not find their HBCU, they are introduced to options and develop the skill to find a college or university that feels like home, where they can touch and build upon their "spark," thereby charting their path to successful matriculation through college and a fulfilling career.
Emergency action is requested in order to provide the Gaddis Foundation with the resources necessary to begin traveling in early June.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the general fund.
Grant Recipient: The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation, Vendor 044815, exp. March 31, 2025
Title
To authorize the Director of Department of Neighborhoods to enter into a grant agreement with The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation in support of the Jump Start College Tour; to authorize expenditure within the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($24,900.00)
Body
WHEREAS, since December 24, 2001, The Willie & Vivian Gaddis Foundation has empowered children and youth by promoting and providing educational and artistic opportunities for those at risk among this population; and
WHEREAS, the Foundation has made 84 visits and tours of and universities with more than 800 youth; and
WHEREAS, the Foundation is planning to engage youths with an HBCU-specific tour, involving 5-6 days of intensive campus visits and historical sites, as well as pre-tour college awareness sessions; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement in order to provide the Gaddis Foundation with resources necessary to initiate the tour in early June, 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 Neighborhoods is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation in support of the Jump Start College Tour.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $15,400.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $24,900.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the General Fund, fund 1000, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 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 ordinance.
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.