Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Military/Veterans Educational Foundation, Inc. as a sponsor of their 2025 Veterans Rally and to provide up-front funding in support of the event, a rally to provide resources and education to veterans and the community. The rally is scheduled for November 11th, 2025. The event will feature entertainment, a free meal, and veteran-related vendor tents. All attendees can also take advantage of the Dog Tag Discount Program and enjoy discounted or complementary admission to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, as well as COSI. This ordinance is intended to authorize Military/Veterans Educational Foundation, Inc. to use funds provided by Council to defray food and non-alcoholic beverage costs associated with the event, including the free meal to be provided to veterans. The distribution of food and non-alcoholic beverages associated with this grant agreement are deemed to be in the public interest by Columbus City Council. The cost per person of food and non-alcoholic beverages must not exceed the per diem rate established by the Dept. of Finance and Management.
The mission of Military/Veterans Educational Foundation, Inc. is to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans, as well as to foster a sense of patriotism and community through various initiatives and events.
Council has previously acted to support this organization and event through Ordinance 2453-2024. This ordinance appropriates funding for event support in 2025 only, and does not represent a commitment to provide financial support in any future year.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, subfund 100018. Councilmember Day-Achauer has earmarked funds specifically for veterans affairs, including the event described in this ordinance.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Military/Veterans Educational Foundation, Inc. and to authorize an appropriation and expenditure from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Military/Veterans Educational Foundation, Inc. works to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans, as well as to foster a sense of patriotism and community through various initiatives and events; and
WHEREAS, Military/Veterans Educational Foundation, Inc. is organizing its annual rally to provide resources and education to veterans and the community; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council honors veterans and is pleased to assist in providing a meal and programming to aid and celebrate them; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Military/Veterans Educational Foundation, Inc. in support of their 2025 Veterans Day Rally.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $10,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, subfund 100018, to the City Clerk per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $10,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure authorized in SECTION 3 of this ordinance may be used by Military/Veterans Educational Foundation, Inc. for food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases, and that Columbus City Council finds this expenditure to be for a proper public purpose. No expenditure shall be made for alcoholic beverage purchases. The cost per person of food and non-alcoholic beverages shall not exceed the per diem rate established by the Dept. of Finance and Management.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contract or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.