Background
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to contract with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, to provide support to the 2018 NCAA Women’s Final Four Tournament. The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship is a 63-game tournament that culminates with the Women’s Final Four. The three remaining Women’s Final Four games - two national semifinal games and the national championship game - will signify the conclusion of one of the most highly anticipated national championships in the nation.
The NCAA Women’s Final Four will generate an estimated $20 million in direct visitor spending. The semifinals and national championship games will attract more than 40,000 fans, including 30,000 from outside Central Ohio, to Nationwide Arena over two nights. The event will also generate over 14,000 total hotel room nights in the City of Columbus and Franklin County. All three games will be televised on the ESPN family of networks domestically, as well as internationally. The Women’s Final Four games will be broadcast on over 350 radio stations domestically and internationally.
This $125,000.00 commitment by the City of Columbus will be used by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission to offset costs associated with hosting this event, including but not limited to hosting fees, ancillary support costs, and other marketing/promotional costs.
Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau dba Greater Columbus Sports Commission, Contract Compliance Number: 31-4153118
Fiscal Impact: Funding in the amount of $125,000 is budgeted and available within the general fund. These funds will be transferred from the Department of Finance and Management to the Department of Development, within the general fund.
Emergency action is requested so that an immediate payment can be made and financial support can be provided.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, dba Greater Columbus Sports Commission, to provide support for the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four Tournament; to authorize the transfer of $125,000.00 from the Department of Finance and Management to the Department of Development within the general fund; to authorize the Department of Development to expend $125,000.00 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($125,000.00) AMENDED BY ORD. 0483-2018; PASSED 12/11/2017.
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, dba Greater Columbus Sports Commission, to provide support to the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four Tournament; and
WHEREAS, the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship is a 63-game tournament that culminates with the Women’s Final Four and will signify the conclusion of one of the most highly anticipated national championships in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four Tournament will be held March 30 - April 1, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the NCAA Women’s Final Four will generate an estimated $20 million in direct visitor spending; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Department of Development to expend $125,000.00 from the general fund; and
WHEREAS, this contract is awarded pursuant to provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 relating to non-profit services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau dba Greater Columbus Sports Commission in support of the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four Tournament, 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 contract with the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, dba Greater Columbus Sports Commission, for support of the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four Tournament.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $125,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000, general fund, from Dept-Div 4550 Finance-Director's Office, Object Class 03 - Contractual Services to Dept-Div 4401 Administration, Object Class 03 - Contractual Services per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 3176-2017 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $125,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the general fund 1000, in Object Class 03 - Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 3176-2017 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 4. 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 5. That for the reason stated in the preamble here to, 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.