Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize and direct the Director of the Office of Education to enter a grant agreement with Gay Softball World Series in support of the Gay Softball World Series being hosted in Columbus, Ohio from August 30th to September 5th, 2026. Columbus is hosting the Gay Softball World Series for the fourth time since 2010. The is facilitated in part by the Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association, which annually hosts Bat-n-Rouge during Columbus Pride. The Gay Softball World Series gravitates toward Columbus because of our strong history of being queer affirming and safe, and the City's capacity to host a growing event.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $15,000.00 is available, $10,000.00 from the General Fund and $5,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund, Subfund 100018.
REASON FOR EMERGENCY: The Gay Softball World Series is a unique event that will begin on August 30th, one day before the Columbus City Council meeting for which this legislation is scheduled to be introduced. The hosting organization has reported a lack of corporate sponsors to defray the cost of hosting the event, resulting in the imminent need for financial assistance. Consequently, emergency designation is requested and the agreement is to include advance payment.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Education to enter a grant agreement with GSWS Columbus to provide advance payment in support of the Gay Softball World Series; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure from the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund; to authorize an expenditure from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($15,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Gay Softball World Series was previously hosted in Columbus, Ohio in 2010, 2015, and 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association is proud to be part of organizing the effort to host the Gay Softball World Series here a fourth time; and
WHEREAS, for one week, thousands of athletes and supporters from across North America gather to celebrate competition, community, and pride through this event; and
WHEREAS, the GSWS Columbus planning team is made up of leaders, organizers, and community champions working together to create a week defined by trust, unity, and elevated ease; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Education insofar as the Gay Softball World Series event is imminently underway and the event organizers are in need of advance payment to defray the cost of hosting this event, all for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, and/or safety; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Education is hereby authorized and directed to enter a grant agreement with GSWS Columbus to provide advance payment in support of the Gay Softball World Series.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $5,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund, subfund 100018, to the Office of Education per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $15,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and that the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all grant agreements or modifications associated with this ordinance.
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.