Explanation
This ordinance authorizes a grant agreement between the Director of the Department of Development and the Franklin County Historical Society (dba COSI).
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic and substantial impact on local institutions, notably those cultural arts facilities that rely on attendance for much of their operating revenue. In response to the announced Ohio stay-at-home order, COSI closed its door to ensure the safety of its team, guests, and the general public. As a nonprofit, COSI earns almost 76 - 80% of its entire annual budget through earned revenue, and as a result of the closure, COSI, like many of its colleague institutions, lost massive revenue and suffered significant staff layoffs.
Although closed, and with limited staff, COSI continues to strive to serve the Central Ohio community, especially the City of Columbus. COSI has initiated several outreach programs, including COSI Connects, which has allowed them to deliver great STEM content for K-12 students, teachers and parents. With this grant, COSI seeks to partner with the City of Columbus to continue to serve the city, and help to address the challenges of COVID-19 through innovative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) physical and digital learning platforms.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the CARES Act fund for this expense.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklin County Historical Society (dba COSI) for the purpose of providing ongoing support for STEM education for K-12 students, teachers, and parents and to add needed capacity to the Franklin County Historical Society’s operating budget as a result of COVID-19 specific closures; to authorize the expenditure of up to $500,000.00 from the CARES Act Fund; and to authorize the payment of expenses starting March 1, 2020. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in extended closures for many of central Ohio's cultural arts institutions, notably those that rely on attendance for much of their operating revenue; and
WHEREAS, as a nonprofit, COSI earns almost 76 - 80% of its entire annual budget through earned revenue; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the closure, COSI, like many of its colleague institutions, lost massive revenue and suffered significant staff layoffs; and
WHEREAS, despite these challenges, COSI continues to deliver high-quality STEM content for K-12 students, teacher, and parents, and that this grant support will allow COSI to sustain the delivery of STEM education in central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding to provide operating budget capacity for COSI is necessary to address the demand for STEM education and content for K-12 students, teachers, and parents, especially in light of extended school closures caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 Budget; 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 a grant agreement with the Franklin County Historical Society (dba COSI) for the purpose of providing ongoing support for STEM education for K-12 students, teachers, and parents and to add needed capacity to the Franklin County Historical Society’s operating budget as a result of COVID-19 specific closures in an amount up to $500,000.00 effective March 1, 2020 and ending no later than December 30, 2020.
SECTION 2: That the expenditure of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 2207 (CARES Act Fund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration Division), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 legislation.
SECTION 5: That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.