Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to modify a contribution agreement with The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc., (GCAC) in support of the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MOMCC) Art Memorial, a community-driven effort to honor the lives of children lost to violence in the City of Columbus. Upon completion and final acceptance, and pending approval by The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc., the City will assume ownership of the Artwork and incorporate it into the City’s public art collection. This ordinance also authorizes the Director of Public Service to accept such ownership, ensuring seamless transition for maintenance and conservation responsibilities.
Ordinance 3332-2025 authorized the Director of Public Service to assume ownership of the Artwork and incorporate it into the City’s public art collection. In addition, this ordinance also authorized the Director of Public Service to accept such ownership, ensuring seamless transition for maintenance and conservation responsibilities. In addition to funding, the Department of Public Service contributed space within the public right-of-way for the installation and support necessary maintenance efforts to preserve the integrity and visibility of the memorial. The memorial features works created by artist, with a priority focus on local Columbus artists.
The Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children organization has been a steadfast voice of advocacy, healing, and awareness, uplifting families impacted by senseless homicide. The art memorial serves as a public space for remembrance, reflection, and education, symbolizing the City’s commitment to supporting families, preventing future violence, and fostering community unity.
1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $70,000.00
Original contract amount $80,000.00 (Ord. 3332-2025, PO547209)
Modification number 1 $70,000.00 (This ordinance)
The contract amount including all modifications: $150,000.00
1.2 Reasons additional goods/services could not be foreseen:
This modification was anticipated and will provide for additional funds in support of the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MOMCC) Art Memorial through the management by The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc. (GCAC).
1.3 Reason other procurement processes are not used:
The work is a continuation of services completed by the consultant already under contract, therefore it was decided that it is in the best interest of the City to modify the existing contract to keep the project on schedule and on budget.
The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc., in partnership with MOMCC, leads the artistic planning, community engagement, and design of the memorial and therefore will select an artist that fits the overall mission of the memorial. The memorial feature works created by artist, with a priority focus on local Columbus artists.
1.4 How cost of modification was determined:
The cost of this modification was deemed reasonable based on other initiatives of similar size and scope based on anticipated necessary effort to complete the project.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $50,000.00 for this expenditure is available in the Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair Fund, Fund 2265. Transfer of appropriation is necessary from Object Class 03 to 05.
Funding in the amount of $20,000.00 for this expenditure is available in the General Revenue Fund, Fund 1000, funds are appropriated.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to have funds available when the artist is selected later in April, and before The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc., enters into a contract with the selected artist.
Title
To authorize the transfer of appropriation within the Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to modify a contribution agreement with The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc. in support of the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children Art Memorial; to accept, on behalf of the City, title and ownership of the completed Artwork and add it to the City’s public art collection upon final acceptance and required approvals; and to declare an emergency. ($70,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, contract no. PO547209, with The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc., in the amount of $80,000.00, was authorized by ordinance no. 3332-2025; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to modify the contract in an amount up to $70,000.00 and provide additional funds to The Greater Columbus Arts Council Inc., (GCAC) in support of the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MOMCC) Art Memorial; and
WHEREAS, upon completion and approval of the MOMCC memorial artwork, the City intends to accept ownership of the Artwork, include it in the City’s public art collection, and assign long-term stewardship and maintenance responsibilities to the Department of Public Service; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service intends to contribute $50,000.00, for continued long-term maintenance to ensure the memorial remains accessible and well-preserved; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer appropriation between Object Classes within the Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $70,000.00 from the Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair Fund and the General Revenue Fund for this important community initiative; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to execute this contribution agreement modification to have the funds available when the arist is selected later in April, and before The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc., enters into a contract with the selected artist, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the transfer of appropriation is hereby authorized within Fund 2265 (Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair Fund), from Object Class 03 (Purchased Services) to Object Class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. The Director of Public Service is hereby authorized to modify an existing contribution agreement with The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc., for the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children Art Memorial and to accept, on behalf of the City, title and ownership of the completed Artwork and add it to the City’s public art collection upon final acceptance and required approvals (including the Columbus Arts Commission), and to execute any related documents necessary to carry out the intent of this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That an expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from Fund 2265 (Street Construction, Maintenance, and Repair Fund), Dept-Div 5901 (Director’s Office), Object Class 05 (Services), per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance for the purposes provided for in SECTION 2 associated with the of the memorial in the public right-of-way.
SECTION 4. That an expenditure of $20,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from Fund 1000 (General Revenue Fund), Dept-Div 2001 (City Council), Object Class 05 (Other), per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble, this ordinance is hereby declared 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.