Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter a grant agreement with Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc. (CSCI), a non-profit entity, in an amount up to $50,000 to administer the Columbus Sister Cities International Program for the purpose of promoting business, government, cultural, educational and environmental exchanges through mission trips involving official delegations supporting long-term economic development.
Since 1996, CSCI has cultivated international exchanges and connections that promote peace and strengthen communities. By celebrating and appreciating differences from around the world, they have cultivated lasting relationships that increase international trade and empower 21st century business growth.
The ten Sister Cities are: Accra in Ghana, Ahmedabad in India, Curtiba in Brazil, Dresden in Germany, Genoa in Italy, Hefei in China, Herzliya in Israel, Odense in Denmark, Seville in Spain and Tainan in Taiwan. City funding has been provided in previous years to support staffing and administrative cost of CSCI.
Emergency action is requested to allow Columbus Sister Cities, International, Inc. to continue to provide uninterrupted services in the promotion and implementation of international exchanges.
FISCAL IMPACT: $50,000.00 is budgeted in the Economic Development Division’s 2022 General Fund Budget.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor number is 005482 and expires on 6/16/23.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc. in an amount up to $50,000.00 for the purpose of promoting business, government, cultural, educational and environmental exchanges through mission trips involving official delegations supporting long-term economic development; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the 2022 General Fund Budget and to approve expenditures incurred prior the approval of the purchase order; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Columbus Sister Cities International Program promotes business, government, cultural, educational and environmental exchanges between the Sister Cities; and
WHEREAS, the ten Sister Cities are: Accra, Ghana; Ahmedabad, India; Curtiba, Brazil; Dresden, Germany; Genoa, Italy; Hefei, China; Herzliya, Israel; Odense, Denmark; Seville, Spain; Tainan, Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, the funding for this project will be used for exchanges through mission trips involving official delegations associated with the Columbus Sister Cities International Inc.’s Program; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc. for the purpose of continuing to promote long term economic development with the sister cities; 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 of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc., to continue to provide uninterrupted services in the promotion and implementation of international exchanges; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Columbus Sister Cities International, Inc. (CSCI) in an amount up to $50,000.00 to administer the Columbus Sister Cities International Program for the purpose of promoting business, government, cultural, educational and environmental exchanges between the Columbus Sister Cities as well as long term economic development.
Section 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept. 44-02 (Economic Development), in Object Class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attached 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 contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
Section 5. 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.