Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a professional service contract with Paul Werth Associates, Inc., in an amount up to $100,000.00, to assist with creating the department’s communications strategy. Approval is also requested for reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order, starting March 1, 2025.
The Department of Development contract will allow the establishment of a strategic communications partnership with Paul Werth Associates, Inc. for 2025 to aid in strategic communications work, communications outreach, constituent messaging, constituent outreach, media relations, media planning, and paid media to ensure the messages shared with Columbus neighbors are clear and understandable to all who call Columbus home.
The work completed through this contract will educate audiences on how the department helps to make Columbus a more equitable community and foster prosperity for the city’s residents, businesses, and investors; highlight the Columbus Housing Strategy and demonstrate how our programming and funding activate the Strategy; demonstrate how economic development tools attract and retain businesses and promote capital investment; illustrate how our work helps business of all sizes reach their full potential, which in turn, creates community benefits; and show how our work fosters smart and sustainable growth.
The department utilized the Request for Proposals (RFP) process in accordance with City procurement standards to solicit proposals. Proposals were submitted in response to RFQ029346 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes. Paul Werth Associates, Inc. received the highest overall score from the RFP committee.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency action is requested in order to begin the process of crafting the annual report and communication strategy to share with the community and begin implementing recommendations.
Contract Compliance: The vendor number is 004255 and expires 12/23/2026.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $100,000.00 within the Administrative Division's General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Paul Werth Associates, Inc. in an amount up to $100,000.00 to provide content marketing strategy services; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 from the department’s 2025 General Fund budget; to reimburse expenses prior to purchase order execution; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus needs to communicate and educate the public on the Department of Development’s work within the communities of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus utilized a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to identify and assess qualified firms; and
WHEREAS, proposals were submitted in response to RFQ029346 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code, and Paul Werth Associates, Inc. received the highest overall score from the RFP committee; and
WHEREAS, to authorize an expenditure in an amount up to $100,000.00 from the Department of Development General Fund; and
WHEREAS, to reimburse expenses prior to the purchase order, starting March 1, 2025; 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 Development to enter into contract with Paul Werth Associates, Inc. in order to begin the process of crafting the annual report and communication strategy to share with the community and begin implementing recommendations, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a service contract with Paul Werth Associates, Inc., in an amount up to $100,000.00, to assist with creating the department’s communications strategy services and to allow the reimbursement for expenses prior to the purchase order, starting March 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept Div 44-01 (AdministrativeDivision), object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are 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 ordinance
SECTION 5. That for 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.