BY:  Councilmember O'Keefe

RESOLUTION NO. 09- 28

A RESOLUTION STATING THE COUNCIL'S INTENT TO ALLOCATE $8,000 TO THE ROBBINS HUNTER MUSEUM OF GRANVILLE IN SUPPORT OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE AVERY DOWNER HOUSE AND THE PROVISION OF CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EXHIBITS AS A FREE HISTORY MUSEUM FOR THE RESIDENTS OF GRANVILLE

WHEREAS, Section 757.21 of the Ohio Revised Code authorizes the Village of Granville to make an appropriation from its general funds to a nonprofit corporation that maintains and furnishes a free museum of history for the benefit of the residents of Granville; and

WHEREAS, that appropriation may be received by the nonprofit corporation as compensation for the use and maintenance of the museum for Granville residents; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Robbins Hunter Museum is to preserve the Avery Downer house and its collections and to make those available to the residents of Granville along with other cultural and educational programs and exhibits; and

WHEREAS, the Robbins Hunter Museum is an historic house museum (that is, the Avery Downer house) furnished with 18th and 19th century decorative arts acquired by the original owners as well as collectors tied to the house over its long existence; and 

WHEREAS, the Robbins Hunter Museum is a free history museum in that it does not charge an admission fee for Granville residents; and

WHEREAS, the Robbins Hunter Museum has requested funding assistance from the Village for maintenance and upkeep to the Avery Downer House, which is a nationally-recognized example of Greek Revival architecture that was designed by Minard Lafever of New York (who also designed St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Granville); and

WHEREAS, maintenance and upkeep to the Avery Downer House is essential for the proper preservation of the house and the protection of the museum's collections; and  

WHEREAS, the Robbins Hunter museum is one of the top 25 nonprofit cultural arts organizations in Central Ohio, based on an annual attendance of 7500 visitors; and

WHEREAS, a significant number of those who tour the museum are visitors to the community and many of those visitors support other businesses and activities while they are in the community; and

WHEREAS, because of the current economic recession, other sources for the much needed maintenance and upkeep of the Avery Downer house have not materialized. 

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Council of the Village Granville, Ohio, that:

Section 1.  The Village Council hereby states its intent to allocate $8,000 from the Village general funds to the Robbins Hunter Museum of Granville for the upkeep and maintenance of the Avery Downer House as compensation for the use and maintenance of the house as a museum of history for Granville residents. 

Section 2.  The availability of this allocation is contingent upon the Robbins Hunter Museum raising $16,000 for the purchase of a heating / air conditioning / climate control system.

Section 3. This allocation constitutes a public purpose for the following reasons:

a. It will promote the general welfare, prosperity, and contentment of Village residents;

b. It will promote tourism within the Village of Granville and stimulate the Village economy;

c. It will promote community heritage and education through the operation of the museum and the provision of other cultural and educational programs and exhibits; and 

d. It will advance the community's appreciation for and awareness of historic preservation. 

Section 4. The allocation of $8,000 shall be appropriated in the Contractual Services line item (230) in the Community Services program (A1-4-F).

Section 5. The Village Manager is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an "outcome" based agreement with the Robbins Hunter Museum of Granville that will outline the amount of funds to be provided, the timing for the disbursement of the funds, the relative responsibilities of the Museum and the Village of Granville, and the reporting that will be required, including a financial statement to document how the funds were spent as well as the program accomplishments. The contract shall also note that this is a one-time allocation that is not intended to be ongoing. 

Section 6. This resolution shall be contingent upon the adoption of a companion ordinance that would appropriate funds to cover this intended expenditure.

Section 6: This resolution shall take effect and be in full force immediately upon passage.

Passed this 6th day of May, 2009.