Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), a non profit entity, for the support of the Little Amal event.
CAPA was formed in 1969 to save the historic Ohio Theatre (Columbus) from the wrecking ball. After the theatre was saved, CAPA renovated the magnificent 1928 movie palace to its original glory. It was then that CAPA became the leaders in theatre rehabilitation and downtown redevelopment.
Columbus, Ohio has a special opportunity to welcome Little Amal to our community on Friday, September 22, 2023. In partnership with the City of Columbus, Columbus City Council, US Together, and Welcoming City, CAPA is taking the lead on the planning and execution of the event with Little Amal, the 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee child at the heart of The Walk. She has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. Between September and November 2023, Amal will journey 6,000 miles across the United States. 35 towns and cities from Boston to San Diego and 1,000+ artists and arts organizations will create 100+ events to welcome her.
Emergency action is necessary to provide upfront funding to pay for services in anticipation of the September 22, 2023 event.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) in support of the Little Amal event; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, CAPA was formed in 1969 to save the historic Ohio Theatre (Columbus) from the wrecking ball; and
WHEREAS, Little Amal has become an international symbol of compassion and of human rights carrying a message of hope for displaced people everywhere, especially children who have been separated from their families; and
WHEREAS, she has visited 14 countries including Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, the UK, the United States, Canada, Poland and Ukraine; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Clerk's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement providing upfront funding to the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts for the support of the Little Amal event in time to plan the September 22, 2023 event thereby preserving 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 City Clerk is authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the not-for-profit Columbus Association for the Performing Arts to provide upfront funding to in support of their Little Amal event.
SECTION 2. That the appropriation and expenditure of $10,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for the reason 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.