Explanation
As previously stated in Ordinance No. 2001-2007, the explanation for this Ordinance is as follows. One of the most prominent individuals in the history of Columbus baseball and a former Franklin County Commissioner, Harold M. Cooper got his start in 1935 as the clubhouse boy for the Columbus Red Birds. In 1942, he left the Red Birds to serve in the armed forces, but returned to baseball, and in 1950, while with the Hutchinson Elks, he was named the Minor League Executive of the Year. In 1955 he returned to Columbus baseball as General Manager of the Ottawa A's who were renamed the Columbus Jets. From 1955 until 1968 he was General Manager of the Jets. When the Jets encountered stadium problems after the 1970 season, they moved to Charleston, West Virginia, where they became the Charleston Charlies. In the mid 1970's, while a Franklin County Commissioner, Mr. Cooper spearheaded the County's effort to purchase and renovate the former Jet Stadium. In 1977, with the availability of Cooper Stadium, the former Jets were lured back to Columbus bringing baseball back to Columbus after a 7-year absence. In 1978 Mr. Cooper was elected president of the International League and served in that capacity for 12 years. He was also commissioner of the Triple-A Alliance in 1988 and 1989. In 2005 the Franklin County Commissioners purchased land and announced plans to move the Columbus Clippers baseball team into a new stadium within that area of the City known as the Arena District. Franklin County Stadium, Inc.'s contract compliance number is 310933217 and the effective end date is 06/05/2010.
Title
To appropriate and authorize the expenditure of $60,000.00 for public art to be installed at the Huntington Park Baseball Stadium. ($60,000.00)
Body
Whereas, Harold M. Cooper is one of the most prominent individuals in the history of Columbus baseball; and
Whereas, in the mid 1970's, while a Franklin County Commissioner, Mr. Cooper spearheaded the County's effort to purchase and renovate the former Jet Stadium and bring baseball back to Columbus after a 7 year absence; and
Whereas, in 2005 the Franklin County Commissioners purchased land and announced plans to move the Columbus Clippers baseball team into a new stadium within that area of the City known as the Arena District; and
Whereas, the Columbus Clippers will move to their new home, Huntington Park, for the start of the 2009 season; and
Whereas, Harold M. Cooper has previously served as a member of the Columbus Civil Service Commission from February 4, 1966 to January 5, 1969, which time he began his career as Franklin County Commissioner, and
Whereas, this Council has expressed its support for the installation of works of arts in public owned areas, and
Whereas, Huntington Park Baseball Stadium is owned by Franklin County, and
Whereas, it is not only appropriate, but in keeping with the spirit of Council's expressed support of public art, that Mr. Harold M. Cooper be memorialized in sculptured art to be placed in Huntington Park, and
Whereas, it is intended that the cost of this art work will be shared by the City of Columbus ($60,000), County of Franklin ($60,000) and certain private contributors ($60,000), and
Whereas, the contract for the sculptured work will be administered by Franklin County Stadium, Inc., now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. The City Auditor is authorized to transfer $60,000 from project no. 747999 to the project 747001 titled
Harold M. Cooper Art Project," OCA 747001, OL3 6640, Dept. 51.
Section 2. $60,000 is hereby appropriated and the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department is hereby authorized to expend such funds to Franklin County Stadium, Inc. solely for the art project described in this ordinance. The expenditure thereof is authorized from Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement fund No. 747, project no. 747001, OCA 747001, OL3 6640, Dept. 51.
Section 3. Funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated.
Section 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contracts modifications associated with this ordinance.
Section 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.