Explanation
The purpose of Latino Heritage Month is to celebrate the culture of Latin Americans and emphasize their significant contributions to the City of Columbus. National Latino Heritage Month occurs from September 15 until October 15 annually. The Latino Heritage Month Committee was formed out of the office of Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla in Fall 2022 to promote visibility, cultural awareness, and togetherness during Latino Heritage Month in hopes of creating lasting impact in the Greater Columbus community. This year, programming will consist of a parade, art show, and a "know your rights" workshop.
The Office of Councilmember Barroso de Padilla has identified a local nonprofit, Asociacion de Escritores de Ohio, as the fiscal manager for purposes of planning and programming this year's Latino Heritage Festival. This organization is dedicated to supporting and promoting Ohio writers at all stages of their careers so they can develop their talent, share their work, and contribute to the literary community. They work to achieve this objective through specialized programs, events, and resources. As the fiscal manager for Council's support of Latino Heritage Month, they will distribute funds to pay for services associated with services such as event planning and social media engagement.
The not-for-profit service contract will include a fee (15%) to Asociacion de Escritores de Ohio for administrative expenses. To ensure that funds are disbursed in an expedient manner, the Clerk shall issue all funds associated with this ordinance to Asociacion de Escritores de Ohio in advance of Latino Heritage Month-related program administration and fund disbursement. Funds awarded by Asociacion de Escritores de Ohio shall be made up-front to vendors in advance of the services they will render related to Latino Heritage Month.
Emergency: Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in planning Latino Heritage Month events.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund and the General Fund. Additional funding may be made available and, if so, will necessitate an amendment.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with Asociacion de Escritores de Ohio on behalf of the Latino Heritage Month Committee in support of their Latino Heritage Month events; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize an expenditure from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15; and
WHEREAS, events will be held around Columbus to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American residents whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to provide funds to support events conducted by the Latino Heritage Month Committee; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Clerk to enter a not-for-profit service contract with Asociacion de Escritores de Ohio in support of Latino Heritage Month which begins in mid-September, meaning that preparations need to be made as soon as possible to secure professional services and raise awareness of the event, for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health, 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 not-for-profit service contract with Asociacion de Escritores de Ohio in support of the Latino Heritage Month Committee for their Latino Heritage Month events, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is authorized and directed to appropriate $40,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the total expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
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 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.