Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Bobcat Enterprises and the expenditure of city funds within the Municipal Motor Vehicle Tax Fund, Fund 2266, contingent on the passage of Ordinance 0055-2025, for the purchase of a Bobcat Utility Work Machine and attachments to clear and maintain city bike lanes and paths for the Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure Management.
The Division of Infrastructure Management will use the equipment to clear and maintain bike lanes and paths during snow and ice events. This critical equipment allows individuals to continue to walk and cycle on city bike lanes and paths so that in the event of inclement weather, the facilities are still available to use. This equipment ensures that safety is prioritized for all city residents.
Searches in the System for Award Management (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Bobcat Enterprises.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
The contract compliance number for Bobcat Enterprises is CC004399 and expires on 11/18/2026.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted funds will be used to purchase this equipment from the Municipal Motor Vehicle Tax Fund, Fund 2266, contingent on the passage of Ordinance 0055-2025.
4. REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS
A request for waiver of the formal competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 is requested for this purchase so that the Division of Infrastructure Management can purchase the equipment during the current winter season to clear and maintain bike lanes and paths to ensure public safety of those using the facilities.
5. MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
This expenditure is for an equipment purchase and is exempt from the MBE/WBE program.
6. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to allow the Department of Public Service to contract with Bobcat Enterprises and purchase of bike lane and path clearing equipment so that in the event of inclement weather, the facilities are still available to use and that safety is prioritized for all city residents.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Bobcat Enterprises, Inc. to purchase equipment to clear and maintain bike lanes and paths during snow and ice events; to authorize the waiver of the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $82,980.94 from the Municipal Motor Vehicle Tax Fund contingent on passage of 0055-2025; and to declare an emergency. ($82,980.94)
Body
WHEREAS, funds for this purchase are available in the Municipal Motor Vehicle Tax Fund, Fund 2266; and
WHEREAS, it is in the City's best interests to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 to procure this equipment due to the need to be able to utilize the equipment in the current winter season to ensure continued public safety of those using the bike lanes and paths; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Finance and Management is authorized to enter into a contract with Bobcat Enterprises for purchase of equipment to clear and maintain bike lanes and paths for the Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure Management; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists within the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to expend city monies to purchase bike lane and path clearing equipment from Bobcat Enterprises for snow and ice season, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized to establish a contract with Bobcat Enterprises, Inc. for the purchase of equipment to clear and maintain bike lanes and paths for the Department of Public Service.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $82,980.94 or as much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2266 (Municipal Motor Vehicle Tax Fund), Dept-Div 5911 (Division of Infrastructure Management) in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance, contingent on passage of Ordinance 0055-2025.
SECTION 3. That City Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the formal competitive bidding requirements of City Code Chapter 329 and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 4. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance 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 associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.