Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to set up a certificate in the amount of $280,000.00 for the purchase of equipment and vehicles for the Conservation Section of the Recreation and Parks Department. These purchases will be made through the City of Columbus Purchasing Office. All bids will be obtained and contracts awarded in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Columbus City Code, Chapter 329. This ordinance will set up all of the funding required to enter into contracts with the vendors on an as-needed basis. Competitive bids will be solicited and opened by the Purchasing Office, obtained through any current universal term contract, or state term contract as authorized by ordinance number 582-87. The new equipment will be used by the recently formed Conservation Section of the Recreation and Parks Department for projects such as the removal of invasive species and overgrown vegetation. This equipment will also make natural trail development, pond management, volunteer clean up events, and other projects much more efficient.
The list below outlines the equipment expected to be purchased as soon as possible as a result of this ordinance:
Utility Work Machine with Various Attachments (1 each) - Estimated Expenditure $130,000.00
F550 Dump Truck (1 each) - Estimated Expenditure $150,000.00
Estimated Total: $280,000.00
Benefits to the Public: Parkland and natural resources maintained by the city enhance the quality of life of our citizens. This equipment will allow for the continued upkeep of these assets.
Community Input Issues: The community has expressed a desire for well-maintained parkland and the continued protection of natural resources.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This certificate and resulting purchases support the Recreation and Parks Department’s Master Plan by helping to ensure that parkland remains accessible, safe, user friendly, and well maintained.
Fiscal Impact: $280,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of these various expenditures.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to set up a certificate in the amount of $280,000.00 for the purchase of equipment for the Recreation and Parks Department; to authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management enter into various contracts for the purchase of equipment on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department; and to authorize the expenditure of $280,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund. ($280,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary that the City Auditor set up a certificate in the amount of $280,000.00 for the purchase of equipment for the Recreation and Parks Department; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary that the Director of Finance and Management enter into various contracts for the purchase of equipment on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department; and
WHEREAS, funding is budgeted and available from within the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of these various expenditures; and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office will solicit competitive bids to acquire various equipment for the Recreation and Parks Department in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Columbus City Code, Chapter 329 or use State Term Contracts authorized per Ordinance No. 582-87; and
WHEREAS, brass tags for equipment will be submitted to the Division of Fleet Management, and all specifications for equipment to be purchased and brass tagged will be approved by the Division of Fleet Management prior to acquisition;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $280,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is necessary to authorize the purchase of this equipment, all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to set up a certificate in the amount of $280,000.00 for the purchase of equipment and vehicles for the Conservation Section of the Recreation and Parks Department.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into contracts for the purchase of equipment, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Columbus City Code Chapter 329 or using State Term Contracts authorized per ordinance number 582-87.
SECTION 3. That the brass tags for equipment will be submitted to the Division of Fleet Management, and all specifications for equipment to be purchased and brass tagged will be approved by the Division of Fleet Management prior to acquisition.
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 the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 7. That the expenditure of $280,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That this Council hereby recognizes that this ordinance does not identify specific contractors or vendors for the expenditure purposes authorized herein and hereby delegates sole and final contracting decisions relative to the determination of lowest, best, most responsive and most responsible vendor(s) to the Director of Finance and Management and the Director of Recreation and Parks.
SECTION 9. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.