Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the City Attorney on behalf of the Department of Columbus Water and Power to modify a contract with Bricker Graydon LLP for special legal services related to PO558228.
This modification will add funding to continue the consultant’s services under the contract for Special Legal Counsel Agreement for the Home Road Water Plant. These services include legal counsel, document compliance review, services involving construction law and more.
SUPPLIER:
Bricker Graydon LLP. | Vendor #006047 | Expires 2/12/2026 |
The vendor is not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
FISCAL IMPACT: $250,000.00 is available for this contract.
$0.00 was spent in 2025
$0.00 was spent in 2024
Pursuant to Columbus City Codes 329.09(a):
1. Amount of additional funds: The total amount of additional funds needed for this contract modification is $250,000.00. Total contract amount including this modification is $300,000.00.
2. Reason additional funds were not foreseen: The need for additional funds were not known at the time. This contract is funded on an incremental basis.
3. Reason other procurement processes were not used: This is a continuation of legal services and it was determined that it is in the best interest to the City to modify this contract to keep project continuity.
4. How was cost determined: The modification is based upon the terms and conditions in accordance with the original agreement.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order for the vendor to continue providing legal services related to the Home Road Water Plant uninterrupted, maintaining the current work schedule and to avoid a delay in payment.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney, on behalf of the Department of Columbus Water and Power to modify a contract with Bricker Graydon LLP to add additional funding for special legal services related to the Home Road Water Plant; to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the Water Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Water and Power has a need for legal services related to provisions of the Home Road Water Plant; and
WHEREAS, the term of the contract is from date of execution until such time as the need for outside legal counsel concludes; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the modification to provide funding to the consultant to continue their tasks during fiscal year 2026; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6000, Water Operating Fund, from object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes attached to the ordinance; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of Columbus Water and Power in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Attorney to modify an existing agreement with Bricker Graydon LLP on behalf of the Department of Water and Power to add additional funding to provide legal services related to the Home Road Water Plant to continue providing legal services uninterrupted, maintaining the current work schedule and to avoid a delay in payment; all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Attorney is hereby authorized to modify a contract with Bricker Graydon LLP, 100 S. 3rd St. Columbus, OH 43215, for legal services on behalf of the Department of Columbus Water and Power to add funding to continue the consultant’s services under the current contract authorized by PO558228 and to expand the contract scope to include the Department of Finance and Management. This modification adds $250,000.00 to the contract. Total contract amount including this modification is $300,000.00.
SECTION 2. That this contract is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6000, Water Operating Fund, from object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes attached to the ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated 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 nor vetoes the same