Explanation
BACKGROUND: In 2003 City Council enacted CIty Code that requires City agencies when engaging outside contractors for certain services (custodial, landscaping, guard and security, cleaaning and recycling), to require said contracts to include provision for payment of a "responsible wage and health insurance benefit" for the contractor's employees. That action followed a series of public hearings as Council sought ways to help workers in Columbus share in the region's prosperity while still ensuring that the City receive quality work. The new Code language enabled City agency directors to consider additional factors beyond lowest bid when awarding contracts through a competitive bid process. One additional factor required that contractors pay employees a wage that at least mirrored the lowest wage paid by the City for its full time employees.
This ordinance clarifies the frequency of reestablishing the minimum salary for purposes of setting a "responsible wage" for such services when making a contract award.
Columbus City Council supports annual adjustments to account for inflation and changes in the local economy to give employees of contractors a sufficient wage to support a family in Columbus.
This ordinance amends the definition of "responsible wage" within Chapter 329 of the City's procurement code. It enables contractor's employees to receive a wage that keeps pace with inflation and is not less than the wage that the City actually pays its lowest paid full time employee. The wage is currently $11.55 per hour, and typically increases annually.
Title
To amend Chapter 329.04 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 to clarify the frequency of reestablishing the minimum salary for purposes of setting a "responsible wage" for custodial, landscaping, guard and security services, cleaning and recycling services procurement when making a contract award.
Body
WHEREAS, the City has an interest in selecting bidders who pay their employees responsibly in order to be the best city in the nation in which to live, work, and raise a family; in order to achieve strong, safe and healthy neighborhoods; and a shared economic prosperity and enhanced quality of life; in order to promote a diverse and vibrant economy that offers everyone an opportunity to share in our prosperity; and
WHEREAS, the City has an interest in fostering local business development and selecting bidders that comply with federal, state and local laws and programs, pay taxes, have experience in their field, demonstrate a positive history in fulfilling public contracts, and who locate, hire and invest in employees in the area; and
WHEREAS, City Council, following public hearings in 2003 took action to realize that interest by amending City Code with Ordinance 1908-2003 to enact language requiring that certain outside contractors pay a "responsible wage and health insurance benefit" for the contractor's employees; and
WHEREAS, said amendment defined "responsible wage" as the minimum wage paid by the City for its lowest paid full-time employee at the time the contract was awarded, and
WHEREAS, that policy failed to take into account the negative affect of inflation, nor the periodic wage increases granted City employees, and
WHEREAS, by recognizing and responding to natural economic trends, particularly inflation, the City should continue to receive high quality custodial, landscaping, guard and security services, cleaning and recycling services for the citizens of the City of Columbus from contractors that pay their employees responsibly; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Section 329.04, of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 is hereby amended as follows:
329.04 Definitions.
(p) Responsible Wage and Health Insurance Benefit: The wage paid to a bidder's employees for custodial, landscaping, guard and security services, cleaning and recycling services rendered to any City of Columbus government agency shall be equal or better than the wage actually paid to the lowest paid City of Columbus government full-time employee per the City's effective contracts with its bargaining units, adjusted annually and/or prior to the exercise of any renewal option by the Finance and Management director. In addition to this wage, the bidder shall provide its employees with a health insurance benefit.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.