Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Human Resources to modify a professional services contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP for the consulting services connected to collective bargaining negotiations and related activities contract to add funds for payment of services.
Ordinance 0440-2024 authorized the Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a professional services contract for consulting services connected to collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. Baker & Hostetler LLP has been solicited to provide assistance because of its experience representing the City of Columbus in previous negotiations with all bargaining units.
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a professional service contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP and will further authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 to compensate the contractor for services rendered in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. Additional services could not be foreseen at the time of the initial contract due to the complexity and length of the negotiations. The competitive bid process would not be conducive to ongoing and anticipated negotiations, as this firm brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and experience in ongoing labor relations issues with the City of Columbus.
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Human Resources to add funds to pay for services provided by the contract in the amount of $250,000.00.
The original contract amount: $250,000.00 (PO442543, Ord. 0440-2024)
The total of modification 1: $250,000.00 (This Ordinance, Ord. -2024)
The contract amount, including all modifications: $500,000.00
Searches in the System for Award Management (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Baker & Hostetler LLP.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Baker & Hostetler LLP's contract compliance number is CC-006399, expiring on July 18, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the professional service contract for $250,000.00 will be available within Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund), Subfund 550201 (Administration). Supplemental appreciation is required to establish sufficient budget authority for this contract.
EMERGENCY ACTION
Emergency action is being requested to allow for the continuation of Baker & Hostetler LLP firm representation throughout collective bargaining negotiations and related activities.
Title
To appropriate funds within the Employee Benefits Fund; to authorize the Director of the Department of Human Resources to modify the professional service contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP to provide consulting services connected to collective bargaining negotiations and related activities and to add funds to the contract; to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund for this contract; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Human Resources requires the professional consulting services provided by Baker & Hostetler LLP; and
WHEREAS, Baker & Hostetler LLP has provided ongoing assistance to the City of Columbus in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0440-2024 authorized the Director of Human Resources to enter into a professional services contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP and authorized the expenditure of $250,000.00 for the consulting services connected to collective bargaining negotiations and related activities contract; and
WHEREAS, it is now necessary to modify the professional service contract to add $250,000.00 to the contract; and
WHEREAS, it is the funds must be appropriated within the Employee Benefits Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Human Resources in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP to allow for the continuation of representation and to finalize collective bargaining negotiations as soon as possible and 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 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, 2024, the sum of $250,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund), Subfund 550201 (Administration), Dept-Div 4601 (Human Resources), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Human Resources is hereby authorized to execute a contract modification for the professional consulting services contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP, to add funds in an amount up to $250,000.00.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund), Subfund 550201 (Administration), Dept-Div 4601 (Human Resources), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 or vetoes the same.