Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Service to submit a grant application to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and to, as necessary, execute agreements with and accept grant funds from NEA relative to the Sullivant Bright Public Art and Parklet project.
NEA is offering Our Town grant awards in varying amounts ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 to support creative placemaking projects that contribute towards the livability of communities and help transform communities into lively, equitable, and resilient places with the arts at their core.
The Department of Public Service proposes applying for an Our Town grant to offset costs incurred during the completion of the Sullivant Bright Public Art and Parklet project, which will culminate in the development of a public art plan and the production and installation of public artwork along the Sullivant Avenue corridor from Hague Avenue to Interstate 70. The aforementioned effort will be completed in conjunction with the Roadway - Sullivant Avenue - Hague to I70 project, which encompasses various improvements to the existing Sullivant Avenue corridor from Hague Avenue to Interstate 70.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
In the event its grant application is successful, the Department of Public Service would be required to provide a minimum cost share/match equal to the grant award amount; however, the appropriation of local match funds is not required at this time. If needed, the encumbrance and expenditure of City funds would be authorized in the form of professional service contracts made pursuant to separate legislation submitted to and approved by City Council at a later date.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested in order to facilitate the preparation, submission, and receipt of the aforesaid grant application by the stated deadline of August 18, 2020.
Title
To authorize the Department of Public Service to submit applications to and execute agreements with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) relative to the Our Town Grant Program, to accept and expend any awarded grant funds, and to, if necessary, issue a refund of any unspent grant funds to NEA at the end of the grant period; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) administers the Our Town Grant Program, which supports arts engagement, cultural planning, and design projects through grant awards in varying amounts ranging from $25,000 to $150,000; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is administering the Sullivant Bright Public Art and Parklet project, which will culminate in the development of a public art plan and the production and installation of public artwork along the Sullivant Avenue corridor; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service wishes to apply for an Our Town grant to offset costs incurred during the completion of the aforementioned effort; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the submission of said application and if needed, the execution of subsequent agreements with NEA to effect the acceptance and expenditure of any awarded grant funds and the return of any unspent portion thereof at the end of the grant period; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this legislation in order to facilitate the preparation, submission, and receipt of the aforesaid grant application by the stated deadline of August 18, 2020; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to submit a grant application to the National Endowment for the Arts relative to the Our Town Grant Program; and to accept said grant, if awarded, and to execute a grant agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate said application, acceptance, or agreement on behalf of the Department of Public Service.
Section 2. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to expend any awarded grant funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of said grant.
SECTION 3. That any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor be and is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which those funds originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements at the end of the grant period.
SECTION 4. 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.