Explanation
BACKGROUND: Hotel/Motel Excise Tax proceeds are disbursed in accordance with Section 371.02(c) of Columbus City Codes, which says, in part: The maximum amount of tax to be allocated for the purpose of expanding cultural services for the enrichment of the community shall not exceed a rate of 1.5% in relation to the 5.1% combined rate. The City traditionally contracts with The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) to administer a variety of art and cultural programs and grants, and allocates to the agency the bulk of said revenue. The 2004 allocation provided with this ordinance is $3,263,729, the same as the organization received in 2003. That amount should approximate 97% of funds allocated from hotel/motel tax receipts for cultural services for community enrichment. An amount equivalent to 3% or $104,400, has been reserved by the City for cultural arts programs and services.
Award of this contract meets the procurement provisions of Chapter 329.07(e) and 3901.01 of the Columbus City Code, 1959.
Emergency action is requested to expedite the distribution of grants and support by GCAC into the community.
FISCAL IMPACT: The contract authorized by this legislation is included in the 2004 city budget. Allocated dollars represent approximately 97% of hotel/motel tax funds set aside for cultural services for the enrichment of the community. Art Curatti (#6212)
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to contract with The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc. for the promotion of cultural services for the enrichment of the Columbus community; to authorize the expenditure of $3,263,729 from the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($3,263,729)
Body
WHEREAS, Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes, specifies that as much as 1.5 percent of the combined rates of 5.1 percent of the revenues of the Hotel-Motel Excise Tax are to be used for expanding cultural services for the enrichment of the community; and
WHEREAS, City Council believes that this mission is best achieved by using said funds to support a broad array of programs, including but not limited to: fine arts exhibits, concerts, festivals, city park activities, avocational opportunities, and other programs for the visual and performing arts, including those provided by both professional and amateur artists, and public art, and
WHEREAS, The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc. (GCAC) has for many years served as the City's primary non-profit agency to manage cultural arts promotion and support pursuant to this mission for the citizens of Columbus, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to provide funds in order to insure continuation of cultural services within our community as provided by The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc., for the immediate preservation of public peace, property, health, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to contract with The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc., for the purchase of cultural services for the enrichment and benefit of the citizens of Columbus.
SECTION 2. Said contract shall provide for payment by the City for such services the maximum of $3,263,729, approximately 97% of the 1.5 percent of the combined rates of 5.1 percent of the revenues of the Hotel-Motel Excise Tax, whichever is less, in accordance with Chapter 371.02(c) of Columbus City Codes, 1959 from City Council, Department No. 20-01, the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Fund, Fund 231, Sub-Fund 004, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 200214.
SECTION 3. Award of this contract meets the procurement provisions of Chapter 329.07(e) and 3901.01 of the Columbus City Code, 1959.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof this Ordinance is 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.