Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a service agreement with Street Smart Rentals, LLC to continue the rental of temporary lights and security camera systems to monitor city parks.
Due to incidents of violence in parks, the City of Columbus entered into an agreement in 2022 with Street Smart Rentals, LLC to install temporary and portable lights and camera systems in City parks that are of concern to the community and the Division of Police. This ordinance is to enter into a third year of continued monitoring of selected Columbus parks. These lights and camera systems will continue to enhance the Division of Police’s ability to actively monitor the parks. If a violent incident occurs in one of the identified locations, these cameras will assist in the apprehension of suspects.
Twenty-five (25) locations for initial deployment were identified by the Division of Police and Recreation and Parks Department utilizing the latest crime data, as well as intelligence from patrol officers and neighborhood residents. These systems are mobile, allowing the Division to relocate them to the area of greatest need.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $244,800.00 from the General Fund for this contract.
2023 Expenditures: $480,739.15
2022 Expenditures: $301,625.00
BID INFORMATION: The Department of Public Safety is requesting a Bid Waiver on this contract to continue with the vendor that has infrastructure in place at our city parks to continue monitoring without interruption. Street Smart Rentals, LLC was awarded the contract in 2022 when an informal evaluation process determined that Street Smart Rentals, LLC was the only provider capable of deploying this equipment to meet the time constraints and volume needed.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested in order to not interrupt this safety measure and keep the deployed temporary lights and security camera systems monitoring city parks. Funds legislated last year will soon be depleted.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into contract with Street Smart Rentals, LLC in order to rent temporary lights and security camera systems for deployment in city parks; to authorize the expenditure of $244,800.00 from the General Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($244,800.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into contract with Street Smart Rentals, LLC in order to rent temporary lights and security camera systems for deployment in city parks; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety has determined that it is in the City’s best interest to waive the competitive bidding procedures of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 and continue with the vendor who already has infrastructure in place at our city parks and can continue crime monitoring without interruption; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $244,800.00 from the General Fund 1000-100010; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Safety to enter into contract with Street Smart Rentals, LLC for the rental of temporary lights and security camera systems to ensure the safety of Columbus residents and continue the rentals after this month due to current funds for this purpose being near depletion, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into a services contract with Street Smart Rentals, LLC for the rental of temporary lights and security camera systems.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $244,800.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 General Fund in object class 03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Council finds it is in the City’s best interest to waive the competitive bidding requirements of City Code Chapter 329 to allow the aforementioned contract with Street Smart Rentals, LLC.
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 ordinance and to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City's financial records.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, the City Auditor shall establish such account codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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.