Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Maroon Arts Group to support the Juneteenth on the Ave event and FreedomWorks - a Juneteenth Fireworks Celebration.
The Maroon Arts Group (MAG) is a non-profit grassroots organization galvanized to build and provide a platform for community, art, and learning, centered in the cultivation, celebration, and promotion of Black Cultural production and art.
Juneteenth on the Ave is a collaborative commemoration hosted by the Columbus Urban League; Maroon Arts Group; Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce (COAACC), Ohio History Connection/Poindexter Village Museum, and Black, Out and Proud (BOP). Its mission is to commemorate Juneteenth, which dates back to June 19, 1865, and is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth on the Ave is also a celebration of Black resilience and creativity; a showcase for performing and visual artists; and, a vehicle to promote and support Black-owned businesses. This event is held on Mt. Vernon Avenue in the King-Lincoln/Bronzeville district.
Funding may support personnel costs, equipment costs, or marketing costs. These include, but are not limited to, stage and tent rentals, security costs and event permits, and contracts with artists and entertainers.
Emergency action is requested in order to provide Maroon Arts Group with the funding necessary to execute the planned Juneteenth celebration on June 15, 2024.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Maroon Arts Group to support the Juneteenth on the Ave event; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Maroon Arts Group is a non-profit grassroots organization building a platform for community, art, and learning that celebrates and promotes black culture; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council seeks to support community groups and the promotion and celebration of black resilience and creativity; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the City Clerk in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement in order to provide Maroon Arts Group with the funding necessary to execute the planned Juneteenth celebration on June 15, 2024; 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 the Maroon Arts Group to sponsor the Juneteenth on the Ave commemoration event.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $50,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to the City Clerk per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the 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 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018 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 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 6. That for 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.