Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklin County Historical Society dba COSI (Center of Science and Industry) for HVAC system upgrades.
COSI is a critical community partner, including supporting Columbus residents of all ages and backgrounds in their educational journey. This includes key programming for the Columbus community, like the COSI Color of Science program, the annual COSI Science Festival, Learning Lunchbox STEM kits, Dr. B in 3, and the PLATFORM. Additionally, onsite experiences in the city-owned building, including fieldtrips for Title 1 schools, little kid space for early childhood education, educational programs for those with special-needs, and more, ensure COSI is accessible to learners of all backgrounds. This funding will ensure the building remains comfortable and enjoyable all learners.
The funding from the City will be used by COSI to overhaul its aging HVAC systems. These upgrades specifically include the replacement of one of the three chiller units in the buildings HVAC system and the finish of phase III of the HVAC overhaul project. This chiller unit plays an important role in ensuring that each of COSI’s exhibits is appropriately climate controlled and that guests are able to discover, explore, and learn in a comfortable environment.
Franklin County Historical Society DBA COSI, FID: 314383802. CC# CC-006091
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Construction Management Taxable Fund. COSI will utilize city funding of $650,000.00 to support the COSI HVAC overhaul project to ensure that exhibits are appropriately climate controlled and that guests are able to discover, explore, and learn in a comfortable environment.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklin County Historical Society dba COSI; to authorize the expenditure of $650,000.00 from the Construction Management Taxable Fund; and to allow for expenditures prior to the Purchase Order. ($650,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, COSI is a critical community partner, including supporting Columbus residents of all ages and backgrounds in their educational journey; and
WHEREAS, accessibility is core to the work of COSI - from free community programs like the COSI Science Festival and the hundreds of thousands of Learning Lunchboxes distributed throughout the state to steeply discounted admission to the building through the Museums for All program; and
WHEREAS, many of the building’s HVAC chillers are over 25 years old and are rapidly declining in performance; and
WHEREAS, COSI’s HVAC system upgrade will replace the aging components of the overall HVAC system, beginning with the replacement of three cooling towers. City of Columbus funding will be used to support this overall program; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklin County Historical Society dba COSI for HVAC upgrades at the facility to ensure that exhibits are appropriately climate controlled and that guests are able to discover, explore, and learn in a comfortable environment, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into a Grant Agreement in an amount up to $650,000.00 with the Franklin County Historical Society dba COSI for HVAC system upgrades.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $650,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in Fund 7732 (Construction Management Taxable Fund), Project 510713-100000, Dept. 45-50, Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 3078-2025 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 3. 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 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding sources for all contracts or contract modifications associated with the ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.