Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a service contract with Harris Ashley Jean, dba Fresh Food Fresh Perspective LLC, in an amount up to $70,000.00 for the dietitian services contract.
Founded in 2013 by Ashley Harris, MS, RD, Fresh Food Fresh Perspective, LLC envisions a world where evidence-based nutrition feels approachable, relatable, and accessible to everyone - from individuals striving for better health to organizations building cultures of wellness. Fresh Food Fresh Perspective, LLC bridges the gap between science and everyday life, empowering people and workplaces to make meaningful, lasting changes that support wellbeing at every level.
Over the past 12 years, Fresh Food Fresh Perspective LLC has contributed to employee health and wellness programming in a variety of impactful ways, including virtual and in-person individual consultations, live and virtual talks, seminars, and classes across numerous City of Columbus departments, development and delivery of educational materials, cross-collaboration with wellness partners, interactive wellness programming, program development and strategic support, and finally, event planning and onsite engagement.
The Department of Human Resources requests to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 to enter into a contract with Harris Ashley Jean dba Fresh Food Fresh Perspective LLC, so our City of Columbus employees can continue a trusting relationship with a dietitian who has served our employees for 12 years.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Harris Ashley Jean dba Fresh Food Fresh Perspective LLC’s contract compliance number is CC-008564 and expires 10/30/2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract will be available within Fund 5502, the Employee Benefits Fund.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is respectfully requested to allow contract services to continue without interruption. The 2025 dietitian services contract expires on March 31, 2026.
Title
To authorize the Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a service contract with Harris Ashley Jean dba Fresh Food Fresh Perspective LLC for the dietitian service contract; to authorize the expenditure of up to $70,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund to pay for this contract; to authorize the expenditure of funds for reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($70,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a contract with Harris Ashley Jean dba Fresh Food Fresh Perspective LLC to provide dietitian services in the amount of up to $70,000.00; and
WHEREAS, Harris Ashley Jean dba Fresh Food Fresh Perspective LLC envisions a world where evidence-based nutrition feels approachable, relatable, and accessible to everyone - from individuals striving for better health to organizations building cultures of wellness.
WHEREAS, Fresh Food Fresh Perspective, LLC bridges the gap between science and everyday life, empowering people and workplaces to make meaningful, lasting changes that support wellbeing at every level; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $70,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund to pay for the contract; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to waive relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code relating to competitive bidding in this situation so our City of Columbus employees can continue a trusting relationship with a dietitian who has served our employees for 12 years; 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 Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a service contract with Harris Ashley Jean, dba Fresh food fresh perspective LLC in order to provide funding for Dietitian Services so that services may continue without disruption before the end of the 2025 contract on March 31, 2026, all 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 Interim Director of Human Resources be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a professional services contract with Harris Ashley Jean dba Fresh Food Fresh Perspective LLC, of 2604 Ruhl Ave., Columbus, OH 43209, for the dietitian service contract in an amount up to $70,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $70,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund), Dept-Div 4601 (Human Resources), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of up to $20 per person per meal for reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses is hereby authorized and declared to be for a proper public purpose.
SECTION 4. That City Council hereby finds it to be in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 5. 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 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.