Explanation
Background: The Department of Development seeks to enter into a professional service contract for the purpose of conducting an assessment of the Columbus historic preservation code, policies and procedures in an amount up to $150,000.00. In addition to the assessment, the work completed through this contract will provide guidance and recommendations to modernize historic preservation in Columbus to support future historic preservation, equitable development and production of affordable housing.
By way of this ordinance, the director seeks to encumber the planned funds from the 2025 operating budget 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 2025. It is estimated that the contractor will be selected in January 2026 and that the work will be completed within 6 months of agreement start date. After review of the proposals, the Director will seek Council’s approval for the contract with the designated vendor.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to prevent delays to the department’s historic preservation assessment and to utilize the 2025 General Funds in which this contract was budgeted.
Fiscal Impact: The funding of $150,000.00 is available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to encumber funds for a contract to conduct a historic preservation assessment in an amount up to $150,000.00 with a to-be-determined firm; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure in an amount up to $150,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of Development seeks to enter into a contract to conduct an assessment of historic preservation codes, policies and procedures; 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 2025; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $150,000.00 from the General Fund, Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that the director seeks to encumber the planned funds from the 2025 operating budget to enter into a contract for the services mentioned above with a to-be-determined firm in an amount up to $150,000.00, preventing delay of this work, for the immediate 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 encumber funds for a contract to conduct an assessment of historic preservation in an amount up to $150,000.00 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 from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the sum of $150,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Subfund 100018 (Neighborhoods Initiatives Subfund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administrative), in object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 1000 (General Fund), Subfund 100018 (Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund), Dept-Div 44-01 (Administrative), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.