Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $48,000 to engage the professional services of Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc. to administer the Columbus Sister Cities International Program (CSCI) for the purpose of promoting business, government, cultural, educational and environmental exchanges between our Sister Cities for long term economic development. Columbus Sister Cities include Accra in Ghana, Ahmedabad in India, Curtiba in Brazil, Dresden in Germany, Genoa in Italy, Hefei in China, Herzliya in Israel, Odense in Denmark, Seville in Spain and Tainan in Taiwan. City funding has been provided in previous years to support staffing and administrative cost of CSCI. CSCI has worked diligently to raise capital for its overall operation. Additional support is required to maintain a full-time executive director and to defray miscellaneous administrative cost.
FISCAL IMPACT: $48,000 has been allocated in the 2015 General Fund budget for Sister Cities International, Inc.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc. to administer the Columbus Sister Cities International Program; to authorize the expenditure of $48,000 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($48,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Columbus Sister Cities International Program promotes business, government, cultural, educational and environmental exchanges between our Sister Cities; and
WHEREAS, our Sister Cities are Accra, Ghana; Ahmedabad, India; Curtiba, Brazil; Dresden, Germany; Genoa, Italy; Hefei, China; Herzliya. Israel; Odense, Denmark; Seville, Spain; Tainan, Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, the funding for this project will be used for administrative costs associated with the Columbus Sister Cities International Inc.'s program; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is necessary to allow Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc. to continue to provide uninterrupted services in the promotion and implementation of international projects; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc., thereby preserving 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 Sister Cities International, Inc. to administer the Columbus Sister Cities International Program for the purpose of promoting educational, governmental, cultural, economic and environmental exchanges with the City's sister cities.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $48,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division 44-02, General Fund, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 440314.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That this contract is awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to the process for awarding not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.