Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract with Byers, Minton & Associates, LLC for state government relations consulting services in the amount of $60.000.00. These services will include, but are not limited to assisting City staff in developing a comprehensive public policy agenda for state government that advances the interests of the City, monitoring all legislation and executive agency decisions at the state level that impacts the City of Columbus, developing and strengthening working relationships with statewide officials and legislative leadership, and further strengthening relationships with local coalitions, business organizations, regional partnerships, and chambers of commerce to enhance City operations.
This ordinance also seeks authority to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code, Chapter 329. Byers, Minton & Associates, LLC, brings a wealth of institutional knowledge, skills and experience needed to ensure successful implementation of contract scope of services.
Emergency Justification
Emergency action is requested so that the contract can be executed as quickly as possible so that important state government relations work may continue without interruption.
Fiscal Impact: This legislation authorizes an expenditure of $60,000.00 from the general fund with Byers, Minton & Associates, LLC, for a consulting services contract related to state government relations. These funds are available within the 2024 general fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract with Byers, Minton & Associates, LLC for a consulting services contract related to state government relations; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code, Chapter 329; to authorize the expenditure of $60,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($60,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Management has a need for consulting services related to state government relations; and
WHEREAS, Byers, Minton & Associates, LLC has the necessary experience, skills, and staffing to ensure successful implementation of contract scope of services; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code, Chapter 329, due to Byers, Minton & Associate's institutional knowledge and experience related to state government relations; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a contract with Byers, Minton & Associates, LLC so that important state government relations work may continue without interruption, all for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, safety, and welfare;a nd NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Finance and Management Director is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Byers, Minton & Associates, LLC for state government relations consulting services.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of up to $60,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the General Fund 1000, in Object Class 03 - Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 2701-2024 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 3. That the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes regarding competitive bidding are hereby waived.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble thereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.