Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the amendment of Ordinance No. 2395-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on Sept. 29, 2025, which authorized the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with the Columbus Museum of Art for the administration and implementation of their roof replacement project. The amount authorized in 2395-2025 was $1,000,000.00.
In terms of history, the Columbus Museum of Art requested capital support from the City of Columbus in 2024 to help fund the replacement of their roof. The roof over the Columbus Museum of Art’s primary structure, which houses their art galleries, is past its useful life. Installed over 30 years ago, the roof has allowed water to seep into the Elizabeth M. and Richard M. Ross Building and has resulted in water damage to the internal decorative plaster ceiling, lighting, and floors. Further water damage may potentially impact the works of art themselves.
To assist with financing the construction project, the Museum was awarded $1 million from the City of Columbus. This public financing request is in addition to financing requested by the Museum from the State of Ohio ($2 million) and the Franklin County Commissioners ($1 million). The Museum will seek private donations for any portion of the project that does not receive public financing. An amendment is required to permit advancement of funds per a pre-determined schedule to be provided in the terms of the agreement and specify that a grant agreement shall be drafted to govern the funds.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to prevent any project delays which could result in increased expense.
Principal Party:
Columbus Museum of Art
480 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Non-Profit Organization
Kristin Helmick-Brunet, (614) 629-0347
Contract Compliance: The vendor number is 008897 and expires 3/17/2027.
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact with this amendment.
Title
To amend Ordinance No. 2395-2025 to authorize the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Columbus Museum of Art; to authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule as provided for in the terms of the agreement; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the need exists to amend Ordinance No. 2395-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on Sept. 29, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the ordinance authorized the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with the Columbus Museum of Art for the administration and implementation of their roof replacement project and authorized $1,000,000 in city funds to pay toward that project; and
WHEREAS, an amendment is required to authorize the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Columbus Museum of Art and authorize the advancement of funds on a pre-determined schedule provided in the terms of the agreement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks to amend Ordinance No. 2395-2025 in order to prevent any delay of the construction project which could result in increased expense, 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. Section 1 of Ordinance No. 2395-2025 is hereby amended as follows with additions underlined and deletions struck through:
“SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract a Grant Agreement with the Columbus Museum of Art for the administration and implementation of their roof replacement project.
SECTION 2. That the existing Section 12 of Ordinance No. 2395-2025 shall be re-numbered Section 13 and a new Section 12 shall be added as follows:
“SECTION 12. That the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized to advance funds on a pre-determined schedule provided in the terms of the Grant Agreement authorized in Section 1.”
SECTION 3. That the existing Section 1 of Ordinance No. 2395-2025 is hereby repealed.
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 which 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 it.