Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a contract with New River Electrical Corporation for Power Distribution Upgrades CIP # 670608-100016 in relation to the Mayor’s Emergency Waiver dated August 12, 2026, for the emergency repair of power transmission and distribution lines.
An emergency has developed in the Columbus Water and Power Division of Power (DOP). A series of storms on August 11, 2026, caused significant damage to the City of Columbus infrastructure. As a result, CWP has an immediate need to enter into a contract with New River Electrical Corporation to assist with the upgrades needed. The Department has identified a firm that possesses the personnel, equipment, and expertise necessary to quickly and safely repair the damaged lines and restore service.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $2,500,000.00 is available and appropriated within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303. The 2025 Capital Improvement must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Electricity Bond Fund is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
New River Electrical Corporation’s contract compliance number is CC-009173 and expires 10/27/2027.
All certifications were in good standing at the time of contract award.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The department requests emergency designation for this ordinance to prevent further interruption of or disruption to the City’s daily infrastructural operations.
Title
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract with New River Electrical Corporation per the Mayor’s Emergency Waiver dated August 12, 2026 for the emergency upgrade of power distribution lines; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Electricity Bond Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $2,500,000.00 from the Electricity Bond Fund to pay for the contract; and to declare an emergency. ($2,500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, a Mayor’s Emergency exists in the Columbus Water and Power, Division of Power; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract with New River Electrical Corporation for the Power Distribution Upgrades project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer cash and appropriation of up to $2,500,000.00 between projects within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance will authorize the expenditure of $2,500,000.00 for the contract per the accounting codes attached; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus, in that it is immediately necessary for the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a contract with New River Electrical Corporation to provide emergency services to the power distribution lines caused by a series of storms on August 11, 2026 that resulted in significant damage to the City of Columbus' infrastructure and is necessary to immediately upgrade the infrastructure to address the damage caused by the storms, to keep the City infrastructure operational, functional, and safe, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6303 / 670878-100002 Smart Lighting Phase Two (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $2,169,480.00 / $0.00 / (2,169,480.00)
6303 / 670770-100005 / Street Lighting Prioritization Plan (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $400,000.00 / $69,480.00 / ($330,520.00)
6303 / 670608-100016 Power Distribution Upgrades (Voted Electricity Carryover) / $0.00 / 2,500,000.00 / $2,500,000.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $2,500,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects between within the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That an expenditure of $2,500,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Electricity Bond Fund, Fund 6303, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Columbus Water and Power is hereby authorized to enter into a construction services contract for the Power Distribution Upgrades for the Mayor’s Emergency dated August 12, 2026, with New River Electrical Corporation 15 Cloverdale Pl. Cloverdale, VA 24077, in an amount up to $2,500,000.00, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Columbus Water and Power.
SECTION 5. That the competitive bidding requirements in the provisions of Chapter 329 are being waived per the Mayor's Emergency Waiver pursuant to 329.15.
SECTION 6. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures authorized to carry out the purposes of this Ordinance, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contract or contracts associated with this Ordinance.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed, and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 9. That for the reasons stated in the preamble, this ordinance is hereby declared 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.