Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Department of Development to enter into contract with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce (Columbus Chamber) for the purpose of implementing the Columbus Small Business Survey. The purpose of the project is to better understand the needs of small businesses (1 to 50 employees) in Columbus relative to overall business environment, city services and workforce quality, recruitment, retention and training needs. The results of the survey will be used to improve and develop programs for small businesses.
The Columbus Chamber has evolved to become the largest business services organization and primary advocate for the Columbus Region business community. Founded over 130 years ago, the Columbus Chamber provides connections, resources and solutions to help businesses thrive. The Chamber will work with the City of Columbus to conduct outreach and help market the survey to a variety of business groups and stakeholders that can further enhance the response rate. After the survey is completed, the Columbus Chamber will analyze the data and present the results in the form of a concise report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Emergency action is requested to allow the survey process to begin immediately so that programs to develop and improve small businesses can be made available in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT: This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $20,000 from the 2013 Jobs Growth Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter a contract with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of drafting and implementing a small business survey; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $20,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus desires to conduct a small business survey for the purpose of better understanding the needs of the small business (1 to 50 employees); and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Chamber has been identified as the organization to design and implement the "Small Business Survey"; and
WHEREAS, the survey will be used to better understand the overall business environment, city services, workforce quality, recruitment, retention and training needs of the small business; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Chamber will work with the City of Columbus to conduct outreach and help market the survey to a variety of business groups and stakeholders that can further enhance the response rate; and
WHEREAS, during the implementation of the survey, the Columbus Chamber will deliver to the City of Columbus a draft survey and marketing message, a summary report of data and a PowerPoint presentation; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested to allow the survey process to begin immediately so that programs to develop and improve small businesses can be made available in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce to allow the survey process to begin immediately, all for the preservation of 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 Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of drafting and implementing a "Small Business Survey" to ascertain the overall business environment, city services, workforce quality, recruitment, retention and training needs of the small business.
Section 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Jobs Growth Fund, Fund 015 and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any all sources for the period ending December 31, 2013, the sum of $20,000.00 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Development, Division 44-02, Object Level One-03, Object Level Three-3336, OCA Code 440215.
Section 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $20,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Jobs Growth Fund, Fund 015, Department of Development, Division 44-02, Object Level One-03, Object Level Three-3336, OCA Code 440215.
Section 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
Section 5. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.15 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 as amended.
Section 6. 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.