Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into contract with M. M. Consulting for the creation of an assessment and viability plan for a downtown business accelerator. There is growing sentiment that it is time to take the next step and create an urban core for Columbus entrepreneurs to tie together the many important people, entities, partners, vendors, customers and supporters involved in entrepreneurial and innovative activities throughout the Columbus region. The goal is to have a central place where new ideas collide with brick and mortar, design, creativity and corporate innovation. This central space will be as much physical as virtual and will amplify individual work, while exponentially expanding capacity and opportunity. It will be a coordinated web of activities providing a platform for a world class, sustainable incubator/accelerator, a center of excellence for multiple disciplines, and a lighthouse that tells a compelling story of the community, heard far beyond the borders of our city, region, and state. The objective of the initiative is as follows:
● Develop a complete document assessing how the facility should look based
on dialogue with key stakeholders in the community, as well as operators of
incubator/accelerator spaces in other markets.
● To bring all interested parties to the table in an all-inclusive approach, ensuring
an all-inclusive product.
The deliverables will include data on the current need for the product and potential tenants in the community available to move forward immediately.
Due to a numerous time constraints, passage of this ordinance will waive the competitive bidding process provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code, and allow M. M. Consulting to conduct the study based on their extensive knowledge of accelerators, small business development, and of all persons who will need to be interviewed for the assessment plan.
This legislation is an emergency measure to allow MM Consulting to begin providing services as soon as possible.
Fiscal Impact: This legislation authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $75,000 from the "Small Business Initiative" in the Jobs Growth Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into contract with MM Consulting to perform a feasibility assessment study of a downtown small business accelerator; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $75,000.00 from the Jobs Growth Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($75,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a growing need to create an urban core for Columbus entrepreneurs to tie together the many important people, entities, partners, vendors, customers and supporters involved in the entrepreneurial and innovative activities throughout the Columbus region; and
WHEREAS, the objective of the initiative is to develop a complete document assessing how the facility should look based on dialogue with key stakeholders in the community, as well as operators of incubator spaces in other markets; and
WHEREAS, the objective is also to bring all interested parties to the table in an all-inclusive approach, ensuring an all-inclusive product; and
WHEREAS, the City, the Department of Development, and the Economic Development Division would like to consult with MM Consulting to provide a feasibility and assessment plan for a downtown business accelerator; and
WHEREAS, M.M. Consulting was selected based on their extensive knowledge of accelerators, small business development, and of all persons who will need to be interviewed for the assessment plan; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested to allow MM Consulting to begin providing services as soon as possible; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with MM Consulting, 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 Development Director is hereby authorized to enter into contract with MM Consulting to perform a feasibility assessment study of a downtown small business accelerator plan.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Job Growth Fund, Fund 015, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources for the period ending December 31, 2014, the sum of $75,000 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Development, Division 44-02, Object Level One-03, Object Level Three-3336, OCA Code 440215.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $75,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Development Department, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, Job Growth Fund, Fund 015, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA Code 440215.
SECTION 4. That the provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code relating to competitive bidding be and hereby are waived.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated.
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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.