Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into an advanced-pay sponsorship/grant agreement with CMH Fashion Week dba Columbus Fashion Council, a local registered non-profit organization up to $40,000.00 in support for the 2025 High Fashion Tea Runway Show and FWCURVE Runway Show and Afterparty Marketplace.
The Columbus Fashion Council is a non-profit organization providing scholarships for fashion design students and a platform for local and emerging fashion designers. They seek to expand the fashion economy in Central Ohio through a combination of industry growth initiatives, community organizer support, funding access opportunities, and creative program development.
This event will offer a one-day workforce development and small business incubation program focused on Central Ohio’s fashion and beauty industries. It supports emerging designers, models, stylists, photographers, and production crew, many of whom are freelancers or early in their careers. In partnership with Aveda Institute Columbus, cosmetology students gain hands-on experience providing hair and makeup under professional conditions. This initiative helps keep talent rooted in Columbus while strengthening Central Ohio's fashion economy. Up to $7,500.00 of food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses are authorized under this grant.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes a transfer and expenditure of $40,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund for entrepreneurship programs.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: is requested to ensure that funding can be disbursed as soon as possible to ensure no disruption to operations for this non-profit organization.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a sponsorship/grant agreement with CMH Fashion Week dba Columbus Fashion Council, a local registered non-profit organization up to $40,000.00; to authorize the advancement of funds; to authorize a transfer of $15,000 and expenditure of $40,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the payment of reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses; and to declare an emergency ($40,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the Columbus Fashion Council is a non-profit organization providing scholarships for fashion design students and a platform for local and emerging fashion designers. They seek to expand the fashion economy in Central Ohio through a combination of industry growth initiatives, community organizer support, funding access opportunities, and creative program development.
WHEREAS, the Columbus Fashion Council is holding the 2025 High Fashion Tea Runway Show and FWCURVE Runway Show and Afterparty Marketplace on September 14, 2025 and September 19, 2025 respectively; and
WHEREAS, the support for the City of Columbus Office of Diversity and Inclusion aligns with the goals and mission for the Columbus Fashion Council; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for the Director to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Fashion Council for the 2025 High Fashion Tea Runway Show and FWCURVE Runway Show and Afterparty Marketplace in the amount of $40,000.00, to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of the annual engagement, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a sponsorship grant agreement to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of engagement; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is authorized to enter into a sponsorship/grant agreement with CMH Fashion Week dba Columbus Fashion Council, in an amount up to $40,000.00, and to authorize the advancement of funds.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the transfer of $15,000 and expenditure of $40,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000, Subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That up to $7,500.00 of said expenditure may be for food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases and that City Council finds such expenditure to be for a proper public purpose. No expenditure may be made for alcoholic beverage purchases. Expenses for food and non-alcoholic beverage may be reimbursed only from and after the effective date of 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 modification 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.