Explanation
Background:
This legislation authorizes the appropriation and transfer of $545,000.00 from the special income tax fund, fund 430, to the Technology Department information services capital projects fund, fund 752. It also authorizes the Director of Technology to enter into a contract with Roscor Corporation for the purchase of a video distribution head-end based on solicitation SA000491 that was opened on August 21, 2003. A total of 78 suppliers were solicited under this bid with Roscor Corporation submitting the best and most responsive bid as determined by the review committee.
This ordinance provides for the replacement of the city's video distribution head-end. The head-end distributes live and videotaped program signals to the city's three cable operators for the cablecast of the public, educational and government channels. The current video distribution head-end is over twenty years old and operates with obsolete equipment making repair and/or the acquisition of parts replacements extremely difficult. The head-end replacement will provide for digital storage and transmission greatly enhancing the capabilities of a head-end facility plus provide capacity for an additional channel designed for internal city use and video distribution to the Internet.
The new head-end will provide saving through decreased repair costs and more efficient operations. Additional cost savings can be realized through the internal channel for training classes.
Emergency:
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the city's accounting system as soon as possible in order for the head-end replacement to begin in March 2004.
Fiscal Impact:
The transfer of $545,000 from the special income tax fund to the Technology Department information services capital projects fund is a temporary measure until the city sells notes or bonds to fund this needed improvement.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to appropriate and transfer $545,000.00 from the special income tax fund to the Department of Technology information services capital projects fund for the purchase of a replacement video distribution head-end, to authorize the Director of the Department of Technology to enter into a contract with Roscor Corporation for the purchase of said video distribution head-end, to amend the 2003 Capital Improvements Budget, and to declare an emergency. ($545,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of Columbus to provide for the broadest possible distribution of information on government affairs, enhancement of educational opportunities and encourage open discourse on issues of concern to the public at large through the use of video distribution technologies; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has required of its cable operators the provision of as many as six broadcast television channels for use by the public, as well as educational and governmental institutions; and
WHEREAS, the purchase of a digital video distribution head-end facility will make it possible to continue to utilize the cable access channels for their intended purpose and expand the capacity of the city to distribute video both internally and externally; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and transfer funds from the special income tax fund to the Technology Department information services capital projects fund; and
WHEREAS, the aggregate principal amount of obligation the city will issue to finance the project is presently expected not to exceed $545,000.00; and,
WHEREAS, the transfer of $545,000 from the special income tax fund to the Technology Department information services capital projects fund is a temporary measure until the city sells notes or bonds to fund this needed improvement; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Technology Department in that there is an immediate need to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City's accounting system as soon as possible in order for the purchase of a digital video head-end replacement through Roscor Corporation to begin in March 2004, all to preserve the peace, safety and welfare; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That from the unappropriated monies from in the special income tax fund, fund 430, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources, and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year December 31, 2004, the sum of five hundred forty-five thousand dollars ($545,000.00) is hereby appropriated to the City Auditor, Department 22-01, Object Level 1- 10, Object Level 3-5501, OCA 902023.
Section 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer said funds from Section 1 above to the information services capital projects fund at such time as is deemed necessary by the City Auditor, and to expend said funds, or so much as may be necessary.
Section 3. That the amount of $545,000.00 from Section 1 above is hereby appropriated to the information services capital projects fund, fund 752, Information Services Division, Department No. 47-03, Object Level 1-06, Object Level 3-6644, OCA Code 644484, project number 473001, Head-end Replacement.
Section 4. That upon obtaining other funds for this project, the City Auditor is hereby authorized to repay the special income tax fund the amount transferred under Section 2, above; and said funds are hereby deemed appropriated for such purpose.
Section 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modification associated with the expenditure of the funds transferred in section 2.
Section 6. The city intends that this ordinance constitutes and official intent for the purpose of Section 1.150-2(e) of the Treasure Regulations promulgated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986, as amended.
Section 7. That the Director of the Department of Technology is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Roscor Corporation for the purchase of a video distribution head-end.
Section 8. That the expenditure of $545,000.00 is hereby authorized as follows:
Dept/Div: 4703
Fund: 725
OCA: 644484
Object Level 1: 06
Object Level 3: 6644
Project Number: 473001-Head-end Replacement
Section 9. That 2003 Capital Improvements Budget is hereby amended as follows:
Project Number Title Current 2003 CIB Amended 2003 CIB
473001 Head-end Replacement 0 $545,000
Section 10. 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