Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission for the purpose of hosting the Cleveland Browns’ Orange & Brown Scrimmage. This event will be held on August 7, 2015 at the Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
The intrasquad scrimmage will be free to fans and will feature a competitive format. The event will begin with activities at the St. John Arena. The Cleveland Browns will feature the Dawg Pound Drive. The Dawg Pound Drive, launched in 2014, is a 900 foot engaging space that offers fans a pregame space for Browns alumni autographs, a meet and greets, a live music stage, food and beverage and other entertainment events. Browns 2015 season ticket members will have the first opportunity to register for free general admission tickets to the Orange & Brown Scrimmage.
Fans from all over the state of Ohio will be in attendance for the Orange & Brown Scrimmage. Last year’s event attracted 20,673 fans. The economic impact for the City of Columbus will include an estimation of 250 hotel room nights from the team and fans and direct spending estimates of approximately $600,000 for the community.
As part of this regional economic development effort, in addition to the City of Columbus, several other partners are financially contributing to this effort such as the Cleveland Browns, Franklin County, the Columbus Partnership, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and The Ohio State University.
Emergency action is requested to allow the Director of Development to enter into contract with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission in support of the Cleveland Browns’ Orange & Brown Scrimmage.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding for this contract of $25,000 will be allocated from the 2015 General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into contract with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission for the purpose of supporting the Cleveland Browns’ Orange & Brown Scrimmage; to authorize the expenditure of $25,000 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into contract with the Columbus Sports Commission for the purpose of supporting the Cleveland Browns’ Orange & Brown Scrimmage; and
WHEREAS, the Orange & Brown Scrimmage will be held on August 7, 2015 at the Ohio Stadium; and
WHEREAS, the intrasquad scrimmage will be free to fans and will feature a competitive format; and
WHEREAS, the Orange & Brown Scrimmage will also feature the Dawg Pound Drive; and
WHEREAS, the Dawg Pound Drive is a 900 foot engaging space that offers fans an interactive pregame space for Brown alumni autographs, a meet and greet, a live music stage and food and beverage; and
WHEREAS, the economic impact for the City of Columbus is estimated to be $600,000 direct visitor spending and the rental of 250 hotel room nights for the event; and
WHEREAS, as part of this regional economic development effort, in addition to the City of Columbus, several other partners are financially contributing to this effort such as the Cleveland Browns, Franklin County, the Columbus Partnership, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and The Ohio State University; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that is immediately necessary to enter into contract with the Columbus Sports Commission for the support of the Cleveland Browns’ Orange & Brown Scrimmage, for the immediate preservation of 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 Development is hereby authorized to enter into contact with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission for $25,000 in support of the Cleveland Browns’ Orange & Brown Scrimmage.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $25,000 or so much as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized from the Development Department, Department 44-02, General Fund, Fund 010, OCA Code 440314, Object Level Three 3337.
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 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.