City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH STARTUP
SMARTUP FOR THE MOUNT VERNON YOUTH
BUREAU’S SAFE PLACE FOR OUR GIRLS PROGRAM
Whereas, in correspondence dated June 26, 2025, the Deputy Director of the Youth Bureau formally requested authorization for the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Startup Smartup for the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Safe Place for Our Girls Program for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, to provide the entrepreneurship curriculum, licenses, training, continued technical assistance, and support to Youth Bureau staff; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau operates the Mount Vernon Safe Place for Our Girls Program to empower young women through mentorship, education, and life skills development; and
Whereas, pursuant to an Ordinance dated September 13, 2023, the City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau was authorized to accept a grant for $999,999.00 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Administration for Children and Families for the Safe Place for Our Girls Program from August 30, 2023, through August 30, 2024; and
Whereas, a no-cost extension of this grant was subsequently approved, extending the funding period through August 30, 2025; and
Whereas, Startup Smartup is an online educational provider that delivers an entrepreneurship curriculum, licenses, training, technical assistance, and staff support designed to teach youth the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and essential life skills; and
Whereas, the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau desires to enter into an agreement with Startup Smartup for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, to provide the entrepreneurship program for the Safe Place for Our Girls Program; and
Whereas, it is in the best interest of the City of Mount Vernon to support initiatives that empower and uplift the youth of the community through innovative programming; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:
Section 1. Authorization. The Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with Startup Smartup for the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Safe Place for Our Girls Program for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, to provide the entrepreneurship curriculum, licenses, training, continued technical assistance, and support to Youth Bureau staff.
Section 2. Funding. The costs associated with this agreement shall be paid from grant funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Administration for Children and Families, in accordance with the grant extension through August 30, 2025, and any applicable funds available thereafter.
Section 3. Execution of Documents. The Mayor, or their duly designated representative, is authorized to execute any and all documents necessary to effectuate the intent of this Ordinance, subject to approval as to form by the Corporation Counsel.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.