Explanation
Background:
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department asks permission to utilize State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services contract as previously authorized by Ordinance 582-87. The State Contract being utilized is Index Number STS515, Schedule Number 800261. This contract is for Toro brand agricultural machinery for harvesting, lawn mowing equipment, and utility vehicles and offers a 21.2% discount off of the manufacturer suggested retail price. The expiration date of this contract is 9/30/17. The dealer providing the equipment, in conjunction with this State contract, is Century Equipment. Their City of Columbus contract compliance number is 34-478146 and they are compliant through 10/01/14. The State Term Schedule Contract is not a bid contract. The items to be purchased are four (4) Toro Groundsmaster 5900 Mowers, as well as seven (7) Universal Sun Shades in the amount of $303,751.00. The sun shades are for use on the four new mowers noted above and three existing mowers from a previous purchase that are already in service. Ordinances 0912-2013 and 2140-2013 previously established auditor's certificates for the purchase of needed equipment. The balances available on these auditor's certificates, AC034935 and AC035554, will be used to fund this purchase. This ordinance will allow the Recreation and Parks Department to replace aging equipment, increase productivity, reduce emissions, reduce fuel and oil consumption, and protect City employees from the sun contingent upon its approval.
Through previous experience in using this type of equipment, it is in the City's best interest to purchase the Toro brand mowers named above. The Toro mowers typically require less maintenance than competitor's comparable products primarily due to their hydraulic system and engine build. The hydraulic system allows for oil efficiency and reduces the amount of oil needed to operate the mowing fleet. The Biodiesel compatible intercooled engine that these mowers are outfitted with meets EPA Tier 3 emissions standards and will save in fuel costs. The auto-reversing cooling fan automatically blows debris off of the air intake system and this translates into significant productivity savings by reducing the need to manually remove this debris. This model is durable and can produce a quality cut at high speeds. Due to all of the operational advantages described above and the need to have these mowers ready for the spring 2014 mowing season, it is in the City's best interest to utilize the State contract noted above for this purchase.
Fiscal Impact:
$303,751.00 is required and available on existing auditor's certificates to meet the financial obligations of these equipment expenditures as previously authorized by ordinances 0912-2013 and 2140-2013.
Emergency legislation is required to proceed with the purchase of this equipment immediately in order to have the equipment in service for the spring 2014 mowing season.
Title
To authorize the City of Columbus Purchasing Office, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department, to establish a purchase order with Century Equipment for the purchase of four (4) Toro Groundsmaster 5900 Mowers, and seven (7) Universal Sun Shades by utilizing a State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services contract as previously authorized by Ordinance 582-87; to authorize the expenditure of $303,751.00 that is available on existing auditor's certificates previously established for equipment purchases by ordinances 0912-2013 and 2140-2013; and to declare an emergency. ($303,751.00)
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the City of Columbus Purchasing Office, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department, to establish a purchase order with Century Equipment for the purchase of needed equipment by utilizing a State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services contract as previously authorized by Ordinance 582-87; and
WHEREAS, the purchase of this equipment will allow the Recreation and Parks Department to replace aging equipment, increase productivity, reduce emissions, reduce fuel and oil consumption, and protect City employees from the sun; and
WHEREAS, funding is available on existing auditor's certificates previously established for equipment purchases by Ordinances 0912-2013 and 2140-2013; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to proceed with the purchase of this equipment immediately in order to have the equipment in service for the Spring 2014 mowing season thereby preserving 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 City of Columbus Purchasing Office, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to establish a purchase order with Century Equipment for the purchase of needed equipment by utilizing a State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services contract as previously authorized by Ordinance 582-87.
SECTION 2. That expenditure of $303,751.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be expended from exiting auditor's certificates AC034935 and AC035554 as previously established for equipment purchases by ordinances 0912-2013 and 2140-2013. The current balance of AC034935, in the amount of $67,613.91 will be exhausted and the remaining $236,137.09 will be taken from AC035554.
SECTION 3. 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 legislation
SECTION 4. 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.