Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Finance Director to issue a purchase order to Columbia Gas for the purchase of natural gas under the Choice Program. Choice accounts are smaller volume accounts such as Fire and Police substations. Under a previous State contract these numerous small accounts were consolidated by a third party under one bill. The State of Ohio no longer offers consolidated billing for Choice Accounts. As a result of this departure the City now pays Choice Account gas bills directly to Columbia Gas. This ordinance will provide for funding of Choice Accounts through June 30, 2003, at which time the State expects to have a new contract in place.
EMERGENCY legislation is requested in order to provide for continuous natural gas purchases for Choice Accounts.
Fiscal Impact: Facilities Management budgeted $1,195,014 for natural gas purchases in 2003. $852,086.51 was spent in 2002 and $1,196,991.16 spent in 2001. This ordinance request $95,000.00 for natural gas Choice Accounts. CC# 310673990
Title
To authorize the Finance Director to issue a purchase order for the procurement of natural gas from Columbia Gas for Choice Account purchases, to authorize the expenditure of $95,000 from the General Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($95,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio no longer offers consolidated Choice Account billing for natural gas purchases, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to issue a purchase order to Columbia Gas to provide for the purchase of natural gas at various City facilities, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Facilities Management Division, in that it is immediately necessary to issue a purchase order to Columbia Gas for the purchase of natural gas for Choice Account purchases, thereby preserving 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 Finance Director is hereby authorized to issue a purchase to Columbia Gas for the purchase of natural gas for Choice Accounts purchases.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $95,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary in regard to the action authorized in SECTION 1., be and is hereby authorized and approved as follows:
FROM:
Division: 59-07
Fund: 010
OCA Code: 281089
Object Level 1: 03
Object Level 3: 3310
Amount: $95,000.00
SECTION 3. That for the reason 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.