Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a grant agreement with Harmony Project Productions, Inc. in support of the Students Arts, Community Arts, Volunteer Program, and Community Chorus programs.
Harmony Project Productions, Inc. was formed in 2009 with the mission of building a stronger and more inclusive community through the arts and volunteer services. Harmony Project Productions, Inc. has programs serving differently-abled adults; men and women who have experienced homelessness; students from across the economic spectrum, yet predominantly from low-income households; women and men serving time; veterans, and restored citizens.
Harmony Project Productions, Inc.'s unique approach of combining arts with community service and social impact creates a powerful synergy that not only entertains but transforms lives. This holistic approach addresses complex social issues and fosters a more inclusive and compassionate society. Investing in Harmony Project means investing in the future of our community. The Student Arts program uniquely teaches job preparedness skills through the arts, equipping young people with essential communication, collaboration, and integration skills for their future careers. The Community Arts program helps differently-abled individuals feel valued, reducing anxiety and depression and increasing overall wellness. Research indicates that participating in music programs can increase feelings of inclusion and belonging by 70%, fostering a more connected and supportive community. Harmony's Volunteer Program and Public Community Chorus Concerts contributes over 60,000 volunteer hours and $1.5 million of in-kind value each year to the City of Columbus.
Fiscal impact: This legislation authorizes an expenditure of $10,000.00 from the General Fund. A transfer within the General Fund is necessary for this grant agreement.
Emergency action is requested to avoid any delay in the organization providing important community programming for the residents of Columbus.
Title
To authorize the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a grant agreement with Harmony Project Productions, Inc. in support of the Students Arts, Community Arts, Volunteer Program, and Community Chorus programs; and to authorize a transfer and expenditure within the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Harmony Project Productions, Inc. was formed in 2009 with the mission of building a stronger and more inclusive community through the arts and volunteer services; and
WHEREAS, Harmony Project Productions, Inc. has programs serving differently-abled adults, men and women who have experienced homelessness, students from across the economic spectrum (yet predominantly from low-income households), women and men serving time, veterans, and restored citizens; and
WHEREAS, Harmony Project Productions, Inc.’s Volunteer Program and Public Community Chorus Concerts contributes over 60,000 volunteer hours and $1.5 million of in-kind value each year to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Harmony Project Productions, Inc. to avoid any delay in the organization providing important community programming for the residents of Columbus, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Harmony Project Productions, Inc. in support of the Students Arts, Community Arts, Volunteer Program, and Community Chorus programs.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of appropriation of $10,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized within the General Fund 1000 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That, with regard to the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $10,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized per the accounting code in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of the Department of Finance and Management, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
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 authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.