Explanation
City Council has facilitated a series of meetings with representatives of Columbus' 17 area commissions, which serve many Columbus neighborhoods. The overarching goals of these meetings have been to strengthen the relationship between neighborhood leaders and City Council, and to identify new strategies whereby the City may continue to support, empower, and partner with area commissions and other neighborhood and civic organizations to enhance our service to the community. One opportunity identified through this process was the need for more training opportunities for our neighborhood leaders. To that end, City Council wishes to enter into contract with the German Village Society in order for them to provide scholarships for 2014 Great Placemakers Lab.
The American Planning Association (APA) designated German Village as one of the nation's 10 Great Neighborhoods in America in 2011. Building on this recognition and the fact that Columbus is a city of remarkable neighborhoods, the German Village Society is presenting a 3.5-day workshop focused on the elements and characteristics of successful neighborhoods.
Columbus is an ideal laboratory for learning about the art of great placemaking. German Village's 50+ years of historic preservation; the Short North's exciting infill development; innovative partnerships for affordable housing and job creation in Olde Towne East and Weinland Park; and the reimagining of neighborhoods such as Franklinton make our city a perfect setting to learn about each neighborhood's unique "path to transformation."
The workshop is for those people whose passion and perseverance are the strength of all great communities. The 3.5-day workshop will include one day of traditional track-based, conference learning and one day of experiential learning within our neighborhoods. Council deems this project an appropriate use of $5,000.00 Neighborhood Initiatives Fund monies.
Title
To authorize and direct City Council to enter into contract with the German Village Society for the 2014 Great Placemakers Lab; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $5,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($5,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council has led a series of meetings designed to enhance the relationship between City Council and the 17 area commissions that serve many Columbus neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, City Council has sought new opportunities to support, empower, and partner with area commissions, civic, and neighborhood groups which serve the public; and
WHEREAS, a need for more training opportunities was identified and requested by neighborhood leaders and community advocates; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to extend additional opportunities for training to neighborhood leaders, City Council wishes to enter into contract with the German Village Society to provide scholarships for the 2014 Great Placemakers Lab; and
WHEREAS, City Council amended the 2014 budget to further emphasize the importance of strategic investments in projects that will ultimately improve the quality of life in the city, and Council deems this project an appropriate use of $5,000.00; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate funds in order to provide scholarships for the upcoming neighborhood training; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $5,000 in the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund, Fund 018, to City Council Department No. 20-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 200018.
SECTION 2. That City Council is hereby authorized to contract with the German Village Society and is authorized and directed to expend up to $5,000.00 to provide scholarships to neighborhood leaders participating in the 2014 Great Placemakers Lab to be held Tuesday, September 16 - Friday September 19, 2014.
SECTION 3. That for the reason stated in the preamble here to, 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.