Explanation
Background: The Department of Development seeks to enter into a content marketing contract in an amount up to $125,000.00 to assist with creating the department’s communications strategy. The work completed by way of this contract will specifically aid in communicating and educating the public on the Department of Development’s work in 2020 and 2021 through the production of an annual report, allocation of COVID relief funding, how COVID relief funding invested through the department has helped individuals and businesses, and how the department helps to make Columbus a more equitable community for residents, businesses, and investors. This communication will be done through stories captured, through print and multi-media, from recipients of department funds.
By way of this ordinance, the director is seeking approval to enter into a contract for the services mentioned above with a to-be-determined firm. The department is currently engaged in the Request for Proposal process per Columbus City Code Chapter 329, but the process will not be completed, nor legislation ready, before City Council’s last meeting in 2021. It is estimated that the contract will be executed in mid/late December 2021 or January 2022.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to encumber the funds before the end of the fiscal year.
Fiscal Impact: $125,000.00 has been planned and is available within the Administration Division’s General Fund budget.
...Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into a public relations contract in an amount up to $125,000.00 with a to-be-determined firm for content marketing related to the Department of Development’s public engagement and strategic communications;to authorize the Auditor to encumber the funds before the end of the fiscal year; to authorize the expenditure of up to $125,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($125,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of Development seeks to enter into a content marketing contract to assist with creating the department’s communications strategy; and
WHEREAS, the department is currently engaged in the Request for Proposal process per Columbus City Code Chapter 329, but the process will not be completed, nor legislation ready, before City Council’s last meeting in 2021; and
WHEREAS, by way of this ordinance, the director is seeking approval to enter into a contract for the services mentioned above with a to-be-determined firm in an amount up to $125,000.00; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with a to-be-determined firm for content marketing services; to authorize the Auditor to encumber the funds before the end of the fiscal year, as such immediate action is necessary for the preservation of 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 Director of Development is authorized to enter into contract for content marketing services in an amount up to $125,000.00 with a to-be-determined firm pending the outcome of the Request for Proposal process requirements in Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $125,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept Div 44 01 (Administration), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds are hereby deemed appropriated to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That this Council hereby recognizes that this ordinance does not identify specific contractors or vendors for the expenditure purposes authorized herein and hereby delegates sole and final contracting decisions relative to the determination of lowest, responsive, responsible and best bidder(s), per the requirements of City Code Chapter 329, or determination of contracts to be awarded to non-profit organizations, to the Director of Development.
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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.