Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to modify and increase contracts with various contractors for grass mowing and litter control services during the 2009 season. These abatement services are needed to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Columbus. Due to the increase of foreclosures in the City of Columbus taxing district, and the increase of recalcitrant property owners, more properties are being abated and the additional funding will allow the program to continue.
FISCAL IMPACT: The City of Columbus was awarded CDBG Recovery (CDBG-R) funds by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Additional contract modifications are necessary to accommodate the additional regulatory requirements of the CDBG-R grant. This legislation is contingent upon the passage of Ordinance No. 1101-2009, which will appropriate the funding for these contract increases.
Emergency action is required so that weed abatement and litter control efforts will not be interrupted.
Title
To authorize the Development Director to modify and increase contracts with various contractors for grass mowing and litter control services during the 2009 season; to authorize the expenditure of $20,000.00 from the General Government Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00) (AMEDNDED BY ORD. 1386-2009 PASSED 10/26/2009)
Body
Whereas, grass mowing and litter control is necessary to public health; and
Whereas, it is the responsibility of the Weed Abatement Program to cut and clear private properties and when necessary public sites deemed in violation; and
Whereas, due to the increase of foreclosures in the City of Columbus taxing district, and the increase of recalcitrant property owners, more properties are being abated and the additional funding will allow the program to continue; and
Whereas, in order to carry out this responsibility it is necessary to contract for grass mowing and litter control services; and
Whereas, the City of Columbus was awarded CDBG Recovery (CDBG-R) funds by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; and
Whereas, additional contract modifications are necessary to accommodate the additional regulatory requirements of the CDBG-R grant; and
Whereas, this legislation is contingent upon the passage of Ordinance No. 1101-2009, which will appropriate the funding for these contract increases; and
Whereas, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, in that it is immediately necessary to increase contracts with certain contractors to provide these services to avoid interruptions in vital program services, all for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to modify and increase contracts with the vendors listed below in accordance with Columbus City Code for grass mowing and litter control services for the Department of Development, Building Services Division.
Vendor
Cut it Now Lawn Care & Hauling Service
E J Lawn Service
Greater Linden Development Corp
Lyles Landscape & Maint
Martha Walker Garden Club
Nowlin & Sons Lawn Care
Section 2. That the expenditure of $20,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from the Department of Development, Building Services Division, Division 44-03, General Government Grant Fund, Fund No. 220, Grant No. 459100, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3354, OCA Code 459102 for the aforesaid purpose is hereby authorized.
Section 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble thereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.