Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a planned modification of a service contract with Morse Transit Acquisitions LLC, to extend the agreement term end date from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 as well as increase funding in an amount up to $17,000, of that amount $7,000.00 will be from the general fund and the remaining $10,000.00 will be from the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant. This part of a planned modification as the period of performance for the Lead-24 grant is March 1, 2025 through March 1, 2029 and is a planned modification for the 2024 Lead Hazard Reduction Grant.
Original contract amount $ 35,000.00 PO519727
MOD No. 1 amount $ 0.00 Ord. 3039-2025 PO519727
MOD No. 2 amount $ 9,500.00 Ord. 3202-2025 PO553927
MOD No. 3 amount $ 17,000.00
Total contract amount $ 61,500.00
In accordance with C.C. 329.09(a):
1. The amount of additional funds being requested under the modification is $17,000.00
2. The additional services were anticipated and as such the original authorizing legislation authorized the modification at issue as well as the RFQ029560.
3. It is in the City’s best interest to continue with the Morse Transit Acquisitions LLC current contract to provide relocation (hotel/housing) services in homes where the Department of Development is completing repairs in our Division of Housing Lead Safe
Columbus program.
4. Prices will remain the same as the original contract.
The City of Columbus received grant funding for the Lead-Safe Columbus Program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program which was authorized by Ordinance 3263-2024. The period of performance for the grant is from March 1, 2025 through March 1, 2029. The purpose of the grant is to provide property owners with grants for lead safe, healthier, affordable housing for families with low and moderate income under HUD guidelines. The program provides lead abatement and healthy homes activities in accordance with HUD guidelines, including but not limited to; lead paint level testing, risk assessments, lead hazard control and healthy homes interventions and clearance tests, temporary relocation services, as well as outreach, education, and training.
The agreement with Morse Transit Acquisitions LLC is to fulfill required temporary relocation services from extended stay style hotels for homeowners and/or tenants participating in the Lead Safe Columbus Program. While the lead abatement methods are taking place, the homeowners and/or tenants should not occupy the home without safe controlled entry. Under the Lead Safe Columbus Program, homeowners and/or tenants are provided lodging for up to 10 days maximum as set forth by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. In the case that abatement exceeds 10 days, funding to allow homeowners and/or tenants a safe place to reside must be provided by an alternate source. This modification will provide funding for these situations. This is planned modification as allowed per the original RFQ029560.
Contract Compliance: the vendor number is 033213 and expires 05/20/2027
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the 2024 Lead Hazard Reduction Grant (G442500) and within the Housing Division’s 2026 General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a planned modification of a service contract with Morse Transit Acquisitions LLC to increase funding and to extend the contract term date from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 to provide hotel services for 10 days and beyond as needed for completed lead abatement for recipients of the Lead Safe Columbus Program; and to authorize the expenditure in amount up to $7,000.00 from within the 2026 Housing Division’s General Fund budget and $10,000.00 within the 2024 Lead Hazard Reduction Grant. ($17,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Lead-Safe Home Renovations Program was established to assist low and moderate income homeowners with lead abatement services that would impact a household remaining safely in their home and to assist shelters, transitional housing, and dormitory style facilities which may be considered commercial living spaces; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development advertised RFQ029560 on Vendor Services in March 2025 to provide hotel services for recipients of the Lead Safe Columbus Program and Morse Transit Acquisitions LLC was one of the two providers selected; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure in an amount up to $17,000.00 is necessary within the 2024 Lead Hazard Grant ($10,000.00) and the general fund ($7,000.00) to provide hotel services for recipients of the Lead Safe Columbus Program where abatement is equivalent to 10 days or more as needed for completed lead abatement; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to extend the term date of the contract from December 31, 2026 to December 1, 2027 as this is a planned modification based on the initial award in RFQ029560; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development to authorize the Director to enter into a planned modification of a contract with Morse Transit Acquisitions LLC, to extend the contract termination date and to increase funding for hotel services for recipients of the Lead Safe Columbus Program; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a planned modification of service contracts with Morse Transit Acquisitions LLC, to extend the agreement term from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027; as well as increase the funding in an amount up to $17,000 for hotel services for recipients of the Lead Safe Columbus Program.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure in an amount up to $10,000.00 or so much there of as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 2220 (General Government Grant Fund), Project G442500, Dept-Div 4410 (Housing), within object class 03 (Services).
SECTION 3. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure in an amount up to $7,000.00 or so much there of as may be needed is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept Div 44-10 (Housing Division), object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this modification is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code.
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 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 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.