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 Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star Game and 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A Championship game. The All-Star Game is a three (3) day event that will be held Monday, July 9, 2018 - Wednesday, July 11, 2018. The Championship Game will be held Tuesday, September 18, 2018 and is between the champions of the International League and the Pacific Coast League.
If successful in its bid to host these events, Columbus will be the first city to hold both events in the same season, which would also coincide with the 10th anniversary of Huntington Park in 2018. Through an industry approved and accepted “Event Impact Calculator” provided by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, the Columbus Clippers project total visitor spending of over $3.8 million (for both events combined). The calculator, has taken into account the anticipated lodging, transportation, food and beverage spending, business operation related, retail and recreation activity.
An additional method of value measurement is the realized media value generated for the region by the national and international media coverage. Although, not a direct financial benefit to Franklin County and Greater Columbus, the All-Star Game will be broadcast nationally by the MLB Network, which is in approximately 75 million homes. The National Championship Game is also broadcast nationally by the NBC Sports Network, which is in approximately 80 million homes. The earned value of the positive market positioning is complimentary to the more tangible economic impact and visitor spending projections.
This $37,500.00 commitment by the City of Columbus will be used by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission to offset costs associated with hosting these events, which may include hosting fees paid directly to Triple-A Baseball, player & personnel costs, equipment costs, and marketing/promotional costs. It should be noted that Ordinance 2730-2017 authorized an initial support of $37,500.00. Combined with this ordinance, the total support for the 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star Game and 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A Championship game will equal $75,000.00
Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau dba Greater Columbus Sports Commission, Contract Compliance Number: 31-4153118
Fiscal Impact: Funding in the amount of $37,500 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 Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star Game and 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A Championship game; to authorize the transfer of $37,500.00 from the Department of Finance and Management to the Department of Development within the general fund; to authorize the Department of Development to expend $37,500.00 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($37,500.00)
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 Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star Game and 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A Championship game; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 Minor League All-Star Game is a three (3) day event that will be held Monday, July 9, 2018 - Wednesday, July 11, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 Minor League Championship Game will be held Tuesday, September 18, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star Game and 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A Championship game is anticipated to generate over $3.8 million in visitor spending for the greater Columbus community; 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 Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star Game and 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A Championship game, 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 Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star Game and 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A Championship game.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $37,500.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 general fund, from Dept-Div 4507 Finance-Facilities Management Division, Object Class 03 - Contractual Services to Dept-Div 4402 Economic Development, Object Class 03 - Contractual Services per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 2025-2018 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $37,500.00, 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 2025-2018 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.