Explanation
BACKGROUND: Hotel/Motel Excise Tax proceeds are disbursed in accordance with Section 371.02(c) of Columbus City Codes, 1959, which in part designates a portion of funds for the purpose of promoting the City of Columbus from funds generated by the Hotel/Motel Excise Taxes. In 2008, in addition to the projected $4,790,000 in hotel/motel revenues already authorized pursuant to Ordinance 0250-2008, City Council deems it appropriate to award Experience Columbus $531,000 in general fund support.
Contract Compliance #: 31-4153118 004 (non profit)
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this contract is included in the 2008 budget.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to amend the 2008 contract with Experience Columbus for marketing services to increase tourism and convention business and strengthen the image of the City of Columbus, Ohio; to authorize the expenditure of $531,000 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($531,000)
Body
WHEREAS, City Council has previously enacted legislation this year, Ordinance 0250-2008, to contract with Experience Columbus for the promotion of Columbus as a desirable location for conventions, tourism, trade shows, and similar events; and
WHEREAS, City Council desires to amend that contract to provide an additional $531,000 in general fund support to enhance their marketing efforts of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City and its citizens benefit economically, culturally, and otherwise from these marketing services, and it is in the best interests of the City and its citizens to encourage and support the services of Experience Columbus; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the government of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to insure the ongoing operation of Experience Columbus 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 amend the 2008 contract with Experience Columbus for marketing the City of Columbus, so as to increase cultural, educational, religious, professional and sports-related visits and conventions in the City, thus boosting the economy and creating more jobs.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose of paying the costs thereof, the sum of $531,000 be and hereby is authorized to be expended from City Council, Department No. 20-01, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 200105.
SECTION 3. That this modification is hereby authorized pursuant to Section 329.15 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.