Explanation
Background: The City of Columbus is currently participating in the State of Ohio contract for natural gas. The State of Ohio has made significant changes in the new contract to begin July 1, 2003. The details of the new contract were shared with the City during the last week of June. The City received a final copy of the new contract terms on June 23, 2003. The City Attorney has reviewed these terms and found them acceptable.
It was imperative that the State of Ohio be notified before June 24, 2003 that the City was to be included in the procurement of natural gas under the proposed agreement. Failure to notify the State of Ohio before that time would result in a significant increase in the cost of natural gas to all City agencies. In addition, failure to notify our intent to participate in this new contract would leave City facilities vulnerable to a potential natural gas shut-off.
Therefore, in accordance with the provisions of Section 329.27, Chapter 329, Title 3, Article 3, of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, as amended, the Mayor declared an emergency existed in the City of Columbus and ordered the Director of Finance to take immediate action to enter into an agreement with the State of Ohio.
Fiscal Impact: There is no funding required for this ordinance. A separate ordinance requesting funding will be submitted once payment procedures are finalized.
Title
To authorize and direct the Finance Director to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Ohio for the provision of natural gas supplies through their natural gas purchasing cooperative and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus requires natural gas daily for facility operations, and
WHEREAS, the natural gas supply chain is currently best maintained by purchasing natural gas through a purchasing cooperative managed by the State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services, and
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio required notice of our continued participation by June 24, 2003, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the agencies of the City of Columbus in that it was immediately necessary to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Ohio to maintain the City's natural gas supply chain, thereby preserving 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 Finance Director be and is hereby authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with The State of Ohio for the provision of natural gas supplies through their natural gas purchasing cooperative.
SECTION 2. That the Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Ohio is issued in accordance with Section 327.27 of the Columbus City Codes.
SECTION 3. That for the reason stated in the preamble here to, 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.