Explanation
Background: This ordinance will authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Zoological Park Association to provide transportation, admission and novelties for youth who participate in the Department's playground activities to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium during the summer of 2008. Since 2004, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, through its Melvin B. Dodge Fund, has provided in-kind services in the form of transportation, admission, back packs and novelties to nearly 6,000 youth who participated in the summer playground programs offered by the Department. Likewise, in 2011, the Melvin B. Dodge Fund will sponsor the following in-kind services:
Transportation $10,000.00
Admissions 1,500.00
Back Packs 4,500.00
Novelties 1,500.00
TOTAL $17,500.00
In addition to being a former Board Member for the Columbus Zoo, Mr. Dodge served as a former Director of the Recreation and Parks Department for the City of Columbus. This year, approximately 2,000 youth from thirty (30) city playgrounds will benefit from the Melvin B. Dodge Summer Zoo Days. Each participant will receive "Zoo Bucks" which can be used to purchase items at the gift shop or at any of the food concession stands; and they can carry their purchases around in a backpack, courtesy of the Zoo. Lunches will be provided by the summer food program.
Emergency action is requested in order for the program to commence when the playgrounds open for the summer.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Zoological Park Association to provide in-kind services in conjunction with the Melvin B. Dodge Summer Zoo Days 2011; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Department desires to have over 2,000 youth who participate in 30 playgrounds from around the City experience a day of fun and adventure at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to enter into agreement with the Columbus Zoological Park Association so that the program can begin when the playgrounds open for the summer; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and he is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Zoological Park Association in order for playground participants to take part in the 2011 Melvin B. Dodge Summer Zoo Days.
SECTION 2. That the Columbus Zoological Park Association will provide in-kind services in the amount of $17,500.00 to be used toward transportation, novelties and admission for playground participants in 2011.
SECTION 3. 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.