Explanation
This ordinance authorizes a grant agreement with Greater Columbus Arts Council in support of Curbside Concerts.
During COVID-19, public health officials have advised Ohioans to stay inside their homes when possible to practice social distancing. This can lead to loneliness and isolation for some Columbus residents, especially senior citizens. Developed by the volunteer group Can’t Stop Columbus, Curbside Concerts is an effort to bring music and joy to local seniors. Residents can nominate a senior to receive a curbside concert. Volunteers from Can’t Stop Columbus will create a 3-4 hour route for a local musician. Artists arrive with a personalized performance that can be enjoyed from the safety of the yard, porch or driveway. To this point, musicians had played more than 100 curbside concerts in Columbus.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in providing the funding necessary to sustain Curbside Concerts during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to enter into a grant agreement with the Greater Columbus Arts Council in support of Curbside Concerts; and to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, and to declare an emergency. ($11,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 public health emergency has required that residents stay inside their homes and practice social distancing whenever possible; and
WHEREAS, these protocols can have the unfortunate impact of worsening feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially among senior residents; and
WHEREAS, Can’t Stop Columbus has created Curbside Concerts, an effort to bring music and joy to local residents; and
WHEREAS, musicians have already provided more than 100 Curbside Concerts in Columbus, and this funding will facilitate additional engagement; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of City Council to authorize a grant agreement with the Greater Columbus Arts Council; now, therefore,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement to avoid any delay in providing the funding necessary to sustain Curbside Concerts during the COVID-19 public health emergency; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Columbus City Council is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with the Greater Columbus Arts Council in support of Curbside Concerts.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $11,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $11,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1 of this ordinance, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest date allowable under law. 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 its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.