Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into a contribution agreement with and to provide funding to the Short North Alliance relative to the operation of the Short North Ornamental Arches (“Arches”).
In 2002, the City of Columbus, in collaboration with the Short North Special Improvement District, installed 17 Arches on High Street between Goodale and Fifth avenues, which pay homage to earlier wooden arches first built in 1888 when Columbus was known as “Arch City”, making the Arches of considerable historical, cultural, and civic importance to Columbus and its residents. Eventually the Arches needed major maintenance, repair, and upgrading, prompting the City, acting through its Department of Public Service, to engage a contractor to perform this work.
Following the restoration of the Arches, the Short North Special Improvement District assumed responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the Arches pursuant to an infrastructure maintenance agreement, effective August 19, 2020. That agreement also noted an anticipated need for 960 replacement lights for future use, with the City informally agreeing to provide a portion of the monies necessary to support the fabrication of said lights. The purchase and installation of the lighting was included in the Downtown Streetscape - Short North SID - High Street Improvements Phase 3 project, approved by Council via Ordinance 0030-2019, which passed February 4, 2019. Due to supply chain issues and a long lead time in procuring the bulbs, the Department of Public Service desires to closeout the existing construction project and turn the procurement of the lighting over to the Short North Alliance.
The purpose of this ordinance is to enable the City, acting through the Department of Public Service, to satisfy that obligation by making a one-time, lump sum payment of $159,609.48 to the Short North Alliance to facilitate the procurement of the same.
2. FISCAL...
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