Explanation
Background: This ordinance approves rules and regulations promulgated by the Director of the Department of Finance and Management regarding the purchase of food, beverages, and other related costs associated with City hosted events that serve a public purpose. Columbus City Council and various City Departments have a need to purchase food and/or beverage items for various programs and events throughout the year. Columbus City Council and City departments routinely host programs and events where public attendance and participation is solicited. It is common for these events to occur during evening hours or during times in which meals or snacks would facilitate public attendance and engagement. As such, Ordinance 3197-2022, passed on December 12, 2022, amended Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes to authorize the purchase of food, beverages, equipment, and related costs under specific circumstances and to declare the expenditure to be for a public purpose. The ordinance also appointed the Director of the Department of Finance and Management as City Council's designee for approval of such purchases that fit within the criteria laid out by Council in 3197-2022 and thus constitute a public purpose.
A provision of the aforementioned ordinance also requires that to be effective, the rules and regulations promulgated by the Director of the Department of Finance and Management must be filed with the City Clerk and approved by ordinance of Council. It is the purpose of this ordinance to approve and authorize the implementation of such rules and regulations.
Fiscal Impact: No appropriation or expenditure of funds is authorized in this ordinance.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so that necessary rules and regulations related to the purchase of food, beverages, and other related costs that serve a public purpose can be implemented in coordination with the adoption of the 2023 operating budget.
Title
To approve rules and regulations promulgated by the Director of the Department of Finance and Management regarding the purchase of food, beverages, and related costs; to declare them to be for a public purpose; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council and various City Departments have a need to purchase food and/or beverage items for various programs and events throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, enhancing public engagement, facilitating public meetings, and providing for the efficient operation of the city serves a public purpose; and
WHEREAS, the ability to provide food, refreshments, snacks, meals, mementos, or other like amenities and to rent a site or venue helps to facilitate community programs and events sponsored by the City; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3197-2022, passed on December 12, 2022, amended Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes to authorize the purchase of food, beverages, equipment, and related costs under specific circumstances and to declare the expenditure to be for a public purpose; and
WHEREAS, a provision of the aforementioned ordinance requires that to be effective, the rules and regulations promulgated by the Director of Finance and Management must be filed with the City Clerk and approved by ordinance of Council; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management, in that it is immediately necessary to approve the rules and regulations promulgated by the Director regarding the purchase of food, beverages, and related costs and to declare them to be for a public purpose so such policies can be in place in connection with adoption of the 2023 operating budget, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the rules and regulations promulgated by the Director of the Department of Finance and Management regarding the purchase of food, beverages, and related costs and attached hereto are hereby approved and are deemed to be for a public purpose consistent with Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes, as amended by Ordinance 3197-2022.
See attachment: Food-Beverage-City Hosted Event Policies & Procedures
SECTION 2. 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.