Explanation
BACKGROUND: Passage of this ordinance will enable Columbus City Council to expend $34,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund to enter into a contract with the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), in accordance with Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Code, for continued development, implementation and management of the 2014/2015 City of Columbus KickStart and KickStart Widget Pitch contests. KickStart is a business plan competition that will again award various prizes related to business development, including free, sponsor-provided, lease space, and other sponsor/partner services. KickStart Widget Pitch 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.
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 $34,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund for the sponsorship of the City of Columbus KickStart and KickStart Widget Pitch contests. 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 the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), in accordance with Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Code, for continued development, implementation and management of the 2014/2015 City of Columbus KickStart and KickStart Widget Pitch contests; to authorize an appropriation in the Jobs Growth Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $34,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($34,000.00)
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, this contract is being entered into in compliance with Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Code; and
WHEREAS, since 2012, numerous businesses have been awarded various prizes associated with the submission of a business plan and products to the KickStart and KickStart Widget Pitch contests; and
WHEREAS, the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) is recognized by the City as a regional expert in small business development; and
WHEREAS, an appropriation is necessary in the Jobs Growth Fund; and
WHEREAS, passage of this legislation authorizes Columbus City Council to expend $34,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund to enter into a contract with ECDI for continued development, implementation and management of the 2014/2015 City of Columbus KickStart and KickStart Widget Pitch contests; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate and expend said funds to have funding available for the implementation of the KickStart and KickStart Widget Pitch 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 $34,000.00 in the Jobs Growth Fund as follows:
Dept: 20
Fund Type: Jobs Growth
Fund: 15
Object Level 1: 3336
OCA Code: 200115
Amount: $34,000.00
SECTION 2. That Columbus City Council is hereby authorized to enter into contract with ECDI for development, implementation and management of the 2014/2015 City of Columbus KickStart and KickStart Widget Pitch contests.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $34,000.00 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: $34,000.00
SECTION 4. That this contract is entered into in accordance with 329.15 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.