Label
Reinvest Toledo: Urban Agriculture Microgrant
Depart of Housing & Community Development
Director Rosalyn Clemens, (x3647)
Revised
Title
Authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Reinvest Toledo for administration of Urban Agriculture Microgrant program; authorizing the General Fund expenditure of an amount not to exceed $15,000; waiving the competitive bidding requirements of TMC Chapter 187; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The City of Toledo Department of Housing and Community Development has established the Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program as part of its efforts to increase equitable access to healthy food, expand neighborhood-based food production, promote community engagement, and support implementation of the City's food policy priorities.
The Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program is a City led initiative managed by the Department's Food Policy Manager. The program is intended to provide small grants to individuals, community organizations, neighborhood groups, schools, faith-based organizations, farm entities operated by individuals, grassroots organizations, nonprofits, and for profit businesses for projects that expand urban agriculture opportunities, improve food access, increase neighborhood beautification, and strengthen local food systems.
This Ordinance authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Reinvest Toledo (RT) to administer the Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program on behalf of the City. Administration includes marketing the program, conducting outreach, receiving and processing applications, coordinating the review process established by the City, executing grant agreements, monitoring project implementation, disbursing approved grant funds, collecting required documentation, and preparing program reports. The Food Policy Manager shall retain overall responsibility for program oversight, policy direction, eligibility requirements, funding recommendations, and program evaluation.
Reinvest Toledo possesses specialized experience in administering neighborhood revitalization initiatives, community-based grant programs, fiscal management, and stakeholder engagement throughout the City of Toledo. RT currently administers the Neighborhood Capacity Building Institute on behalf of the city. RT maintains established relationships with neighborhood organizations, nonprofit organizations, and other community partners necessary to successfully implement this program efficiently and effectively.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into an agreement with Reinvest Toledo for administration of the Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Director of Housing and Community Development and the Director of Law.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $15,000 is authorized from the General Fund Account Code 1001-16200-5632005STDSTD for the purpose authorized in Section 1.
SECTION 3. That this Council finds and determines it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive procurement provisions of Toledo Municipal Code Chapter 187 because Reinvest Toledo possesses unique qualifications, existing organizational capacity, community partnerships, fiscal management systems, and demonstrated experience administering neighborhood-based community investment and grant programs that are essential to the successful implementation of the City's Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program. Utilizing Reinvest Toledo allows for timely program implementation while leveraging established community relationships and administrative infrastructure that would not be readily available through a competitive procurement process.
SECTION 4. That the Finance Director is authorized to draw warrant or warrants against the above Account Code in an amount not to exceed $15,000 in payment of the above-authorized obligations upon the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 5. That this Ordinance, being an emergency measure, shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that this Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and property, and for the further reason that immediate implementation is necessary to timely launch the Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program, distribute grant funding during the current growing season, and advance the City's food security and neighborhood revitalization initiatives.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Passed: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council