Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to increase contracts with various contractors for grass mowing and litter control services during the 2008-2009 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 2008 General Fund Budget includes funding for the service.
Emergency action is required so that weed abatement and litter control efforts will not be interrupted.
Title
To authorize the Development Director to increase contracts with various contractors for grass mowing and litter control services during the 2008 season; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
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 deemed in violation and when necessary public sites ; 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, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, in that it is immediately necessary to increase said contracts so that weed abatement and litter control efforts will not be interrupted, 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 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,
Neighborhood Services Division.
A-1 Swimming Pool Supplies 31-1133166
Columbus Industrial Mowing 285-34-6688
Cut it Now Lawn Care 285-78-2551
DMS Lawn Care 33-1160349
E J Lawn Service 42-1723055
Higher Ground Commercial Maintenance 261359853
Lyles Landscaping & Maintenance 31-1750874
Martha Walker Garden Club 311013959-NPO
Nowlin & Sons Lawn Care 232528510
Section 2. That the expenditure of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from the Department of Development, Neighborhood Services Division, Division 44-05, General Fund, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3354, OCA Code 440330 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.