Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with MKSK to prepare the Green Business and Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan. The consultant was recommended to the director by a multi-departmental review committee.
MKSK, LLC (cc# 45-3413259, expiration date 4/11/2016)
The Plan has two components. The first is a review of internal City rules, regulations, codes, policies and procedures that impact urban agriculture. The second is a market study and business plan focused on the potential of developing, attracting and growing green businesses and activities within core urban areas with a high volume of vacant parcels. The goal of the of the plan is to help transform the City’s blighted neighborhoods by using sustainably focused activities and business as an engine for economic growth.
Emergency action is requested to immediately begin the Green Business and Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT: Ordinance 1336-2015 authorized the appropriation of $125,000 from the Jobs Growth Fund for this purpose. This ordinance authorizes the expenditure.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with MKSK to undertake and prepare the Green Business and Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan; to authorize the expenditure of up to $125,000 from the Jobs Growth Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($125,000)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to study internal City rules, regulations, codes, policies and procedures that impact urban agriculture and green enterprises; and
WHEREAS, there is also a need to conduct a market study and business plan focused on the potential of developing, attracting and growing green businesses and activities within core urban areas with a high volume of vacant parcels; and
WHEREAS, the goals of this Green Business and Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan include facilitating urban agriculture and green activities in the city of Columbus as well as transforming our blighted neighborhoods by using sustainably-focused activities and businesses as an engine for economic growth; and
WHEREAS, a Request for Proposal was posted and circulated per code, five proposals were submitted and three teams were interviewed; and
WHEREAS, a multi-departmental review committee representing the City of Columbus recommended MKSK to undertake and prepare the plan; and
WHEREAS, this project will serve to underpin the work of ongoing initiatives like the Green Memo III, the Food Action Plan, Celebrate One and insight2050; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with MKSK, all for the 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 the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into contract with MKSK (cc# 45-3413259, expiration date 4/11/2016) to undertake the Green Business and Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $125,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Jobs Growth Fund, Fund 015, Department of Development, Planning Division, Division 44-06, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA Code 446015.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to competitive bidding.
SECTION 5. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.