Explanation
This ordinance will authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Franklin Park Conservatory for the administration of the implementation of the Franklin Park Master Plan in the amount of $1,500,000.00.
Background: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens developed Master Plan 2.0 in partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks. The Conservatory requested $5,000,000 from the City of Columbus in support of Phase One construction. The $1,500,000 commitment in 2016 brings the city's commitment to $3,000,000. This $1,500,000 will support design and construction of a new 2-acre children's garden and 8-acre expanded visitor experience scheduled to open in May, 2018. The Conservatory will request an additional $2,000,000 in 2017 to complete construction of this project. Public support from the City, County, and State are being matched 2:1 by the private sector. To date, the Conservatory has raised $12,836,800 or approximately 58% of the $22,000,000 goal in two years.
It has been determined that it will be beneficial to have the Franklin Park Conservatory perform the administration of this project to help allow the least disruption to the daily operation of the Conservatory business. The funds will be used to reimburse the Conservatory for expenditures to support the implementation of the Master Plan for the Conservatory and Franklin Park and capital improvement projects for the Conservatory.
Principal Parties:
Franklin Park Conservatory Joint Recreation District
1777 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43203
Federal Identification Number: 31-1364884
Non-Profit Organization
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is necessary to allow the City to reimburse the Franklin Park Conservatory as soon as possible as plans for the park are moving forward and work has commenced.
Benefits to the Public: These improvements will benefit the community by enhancing the visitor experience, creating a more attractive destination for Central Ohio residents and beyond. Franklin Park, The Conservatory, and Botanical Gardens are an asset to the entire Central Ohio community.
Community Input Issues: The Community has expressed a desire for cultural enrichment and improvements to parks available to residents.
Area(s) Affected: The entire City of Columbus, Central Ohio, and beyond will benefit from these improvements, adding to the quality of life for citizens and creating an attractive environment for industry.
Master Plan Relation: This project supports the mission of the Recreation and Parks by enhancing the quality of life of our citizens. The Master Plan’s focus on creating improved facilities and parks is supported by these improvements.
Fiscal Impact:
The expenditure of $1,500,000.00 is budgeted in the Recreation and Parks Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this agreement. Funding is contingent on the 2016 Bond Sale.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Franklin Park Conservatory for the implementation of the Franklin Park Master Plan in the amount of $1,500,000.00; to authorize the expenditure of $1,500,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a contract with the Franklin Park Conservatory for the administration of the Franklin Park Master Plan Project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said contract to allow the City to reimburse the Franklin Park Conservatory as soon as possible as plans for the park are moving forward and work has commenced and for the preservation of public health, peace, property and safety; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a service contract with the Franklin Park Conservatory for the administration and implementation of the Franklin Park Master Plan.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $1,500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance. Funding is contingent on the 2016 Bond Sale.
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 the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 6. That the monies in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon order of the Director of Recreation and Parks, and that no order shall be drawn or monies paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 7. 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 and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.