Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with the Franklin Park Conservatory for the administration and implementation of the Franklin Park Master Plan and related capital improvement projects. The amount being authorized by this ordinance is $2,000,000.00.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens requested capital support from the City of Columbus in 2024 and 2025 to fund the following projects.
$1,000,000.00 is intended to support the initial phases of the Palm House project, with anticipated requests for construction support in upcoming years. The City’s support will leverage private giving in 2024. All of the planned upgrades to the historic buildings will drive revenue and also provide opportunities for robust education, plant collections conservation, and a more rentable, enjoyable space for decades to come.
$500,000.00 is designated toward improving the overall guest experience through upgrades such as Children's Garden improvements and important security system upgrades.
The Conservatory is also allocating $500,000.00 to the area of greatest need based on timing, project size, cost and equipment lead-time needed within the following types of priority projects that would best elevate the guest experience and therefore support earned revenue generation.
- Major equipment replacement, renovation or expansion, (examples: emergency generator, HVAC units, plumbing and electrical)
- Parking lot, road and pathways replacement or renovations (examples: asphalt, pavers, or concrete)
- Atrium flooring and furniture replacement
- Safety and security upgrades continued from 2024 initial phase (examples: replace cameras, systems and security vehicle)
It has been determined that it is beneficial for the Franklin Park Conservatory to perform the administration of these projects to allow for the least disruption to the daily operations of Conservatory business. The funds will be used to reimburse the Conservatory for expenditures in conjunction with these projects as part of the implementation of the Master Plan for the Conservatory and Franklin Park.
Principal Parties:
Franklin Park Conservatory Joint Recreation District
1777 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43203
Bruce Harkey, (614) 715-8000
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow the City to reimburse the Franklin Park Conservatory as soon as possible as plans for the park are moving forward and work has commenced.
Benefits to the Public: These improvements will benefit the community by enhancing the visitor experience, creating a more attractive destination for Central Ohio residents and beyond. Franklin Park, The Conservatory, and Botanical Gardens are an asset to the entire Central Ohio community.
Community Input Issues: The Community has expressed a desire for cultural enrichment and improvements to parks available to residents through workshops, surveys, and direct contact with staff.
Area(s) Affected: Near East (56) - The entire City of Columbus, Central Ohio, and beyond will benefit from these improvements, adding to the quality of life for citizens and creating an attractive environment for industry.
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by enhancing the quality of life of our citizens. The Master Plan’s focus on creating improved facilities and parks is supported by these improvements.
Fiscal Impact: $2,000,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract. The funds will not be available to the Recreation and Parks Department until the proceeds of the 2024-2025 bond sale are available at a future date. Therefore, it is necessary to certify the required funds against the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099. Upon the sale of bonds, this will be reimbursed.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Franklin Park Conservatory for the administration and implementation of the Franklin Park Master Plan and related capital improvement projects in the amount of $2,000,000.00; to authorize the transfer of $2,000,000.00 between the General Fund Income Tax Set Aside Subfund and the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; to authorize the appropriation of $2,000,000.00 in the Income Tax Set Aside Subfund and Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $2,000,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($2,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with the Franklin Park Conservatory for the administration and implementation of the Franklin Park Master Plan and related capital improvement projects; and
WHEREAS, the City anticipates incurring certain Original Expenditures (as defined in Section 1.150-2(c) of the Treasury Regulations (the "Treasury Regulations") promulgated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect to the construction of the project described in this ordinance (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $2,000,000.00 between the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099, and the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, funds will need to be appropriated within the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099 and within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, the City will reimburse the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099; and
WHEREAS, this transfer should be considered as a temporary funding method; and
WHEREAS, the aggregated principal amount of obligations which the City will issue to finance this project is presently expected not to exceed $2,000,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $2,000,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said contract to allow the City to reimburse the Franklin Park Conservatory as soon as possible as plans for the park are moving forward and work has commenced, all for the 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 Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with the Franklin Park Conservatory for the administration and implementation of the Franklin Park Master Plan and related capital improvement projects.
SECTION 2. 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 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said funds from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, the sum of $2,000,000.00 is appropriated in General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099, in Object Class 10 Transfer Out Operating, and in Fund 7702, Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, in Object Class 06 Capital Outlay per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the transfer of $2,000,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099, and the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, Fund 7702, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer said funds to the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702, at such time as is deemed necessary by the City Auditor, and to expend said funds, or so much thereof as may be necessary.
SECTION 8. That upon obtaining other funds from the 2024-2025 Bond Sale for the City of Columbus, the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to repay the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099 the amount transferred under Section 6.
SECTION 9. That the City intends that this ordinance constitutes an "official intent" for purposes of Section 1.150 2(e) of the Treasury Regulations, and that the City reasonably expects to reimburse itself for certain Original Expenditures incurred with respect to the Project from the proceeds of obligations to be issued by the City in a principal amount currently estimated to be $2,000,000.00 (the "Obligations"). The City intends to make a reimbursement allocation on its books for the Original Expenditures not later than eighteen months following the later to occur of the date of the Original Expenditure to be reimbursed or the date the Project for which such Original Expenditures were made is "placed in service" within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.150 2(c). Upon the issuance of the Obligations, the proceeds of such Obligations shall be used to reimburse the fund from which the advance for costs of the Project will be made.
SECTION 10. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $2,000,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 11. That the monies in the foregoing Section 5 shall be paid upon order of the Director of Recreation and Parks, and that no order shall be drawn or monies paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 12. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is 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.