Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Ohio General Assembly enacted Section 149.309 to establish the Ohio Commission for the U.C. Semiquincentennial in 2021. The 29 member commission is charged with preparing the state to participate in the United States of America's 250th anniversary which culminates on July 4, 2026. As part of this celebration, the Ohio Historical Society dba Ohio History Connection will host a picnic in downtown Columbus on that date. The event will feature free film screenings, family-friendly games and activities, and live performances from local artists including a finale Columbus Symphony concert. The event will also include interactive museum displays, historical re-enactors, and a vintage military aircraft flyover. This event will be open to the public and will be for all Columbus and Central Ohio residents. All activities and performances will be free of charge. City of Columbus funding authorized under this ordinance will provide upfront support for critical event costs like security and EMS units, vendor contracting, permitting fees, and way-finding signage.
The goal is to provide a free, accessible celebration that brings together residents from local communities, cultural institutions, and local businesses during this once-in-a-generation anniversary. The Ohio History Connection is joining Columbus-area partners to create a special event that residents may remember and cherish for years to come. The attendance goal is 10,000 people over the course of the entire event, with at least 2,000 people attending the evening Columbus Symphony Celebrates America concert - specially offered free of charge this celebration year.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds ($50,000.00) are available in the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund, Subfund 100018.
REASON FOR EMERGENCY: The event will be hosted on July 4, 2026, about one month after the intended agenda data of June 1. The requestor has asked that funding be provided upfront to defray the costs of the event, so emergency designation is requested.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Clerk to enter a grant agreement with The Ohio Historical Society to provide upfront funding for event programming associated with America 250; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure from the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, this year, the United States of America is celebrating its 250th anniversary; and
WHEREAS, as part of this celebration, the Ohio Historical Society dba Ohio History Connection will host a picnic in downtown Columbus on July 4, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the event will feature free film screenings, family-friendly games and activities, live performances from local artists including a finale Columbus Symphony concert, and more;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's office insofar as the Ohio History Connection is requesting upfront funding to defray the cost of organizing and executing the downtown event on July 4, 2026, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to enter a grant agreement with The Ohio Historical Society dba Ohio History Connection to provide upfront funding in support of their downtown picnic event on July 4, 2026.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $50,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund, Fund 1000, Subfund 100018,per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and that 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 grant agreements or modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereunto, 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.