Explanation
BACKGROUND: Passage of this ordinance will enable Columbus City Council, in accordance with Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code, to expend up to $110,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund to enter into a contract with IT Martini for the planning and hosting of the 2014 KickStart marketplace product contest event. The marketplace product contest (currently known as WidgetPitch) is part of the KickStart business development initiative and is a competitive contest focusing specifically on business products, and allows finalists to present business ideas, concepts, and products to an investor panel for potential private funding.
IT Martini, with its proven success in hosting numerous annual regional events, each with an average attendance of over 500, is an appropriate and logical partner to host the KickStart marketplace product contest. Specific activities and services the City will receive in exchange for contract dollars include; development of a registration website; email campaign management; celebrity keynote speaker interview and publication; social media campaign management; and arrangement of event space and equipment rental.
Support of this project and event aligns with Columbus City Council's priority of promoting opportunities for small business development, job creation, and technology integration into worker skill sets.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of up to $110,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund for the sponsorship and hosting of the City of Columbus KickStart marketplace product contest. City Council added funding to the Jobs Growth Fund as part of its 2014 budget amendments specifically for this program.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: It is requested that this Ordinance be handled in an emergency manner due to the time sensitive deadlines.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a contract with IT Martini for the planning and hosting of the 2014 KickStart marketplace product contest; to authorize an appropriation in the Jobs Growth Fund; to authorize the expenditure of up to $110,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund; to waive competitive bidding provisions; and to declare an emergency. ($110,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, small businesses are a major engine of job growth in our local economy, and
WHEREAS, regional small business development, job creation, and technology integration into worker skill sets is a top priority of Columbus City Council; and
WHEREAS, since 2012, numerous businesses have been awarded various prizes associated with the submission of a business plan and products to the KickStart business plan contest, and the KickStart marketplace product contest (currently known as WidgetPitch); and
WHEREAS, the IT Martini organization has successfully organized and hosted numerous, well-attended functions in Columbus and throughout Ohio; and
WHEREAS, the KickStart marketplace product contest will benefit tremendously from partnering with the IT Martini organization; and
WHEREAS, an appropriation is necessary in the Jobs Growth Fund; and
WHEREAS, passage of this legislation authorizes Columbus City Council to expend up to $110,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund to enter into a contract with IT Martini for the planning and hosting of the 2014 KickStart marketplace product contest, to waive the competitive bidding provisions; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to have funding available for the planning and hosting of the KickStart marketplace product contest, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor be and he is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $110,000.00 in the Jobs Growth Fund as follows:
Dept: 20
Fund Type: Jobs Growth
Fund: 15
Object Level 1: 3336
OCA Code: 200115
Amount: $110,000.00
SECTION 2. That Columbus City Council is hereby authorized to enter into contract with IT Martini for the planning and hosting the 2014 City of Columbus KickStart marketplace product contest.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $110,000.00 or so much as may be needed, be and hereby is authorized in:
Dept: 20
Fund Type: Jobs Growth
Fund: 15
Object Level 1: 3336
OCA Code: 200115
Amount: $110,000.00
SECTION 4. That it is in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code.
SECTION 5. 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.