Explanation
BACKGROUND: In response to the housing mortgage crisis, the City of Columbus has been awarded $22,845,495 of Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City of Columbus has 18 months ending September 2, 2010 to obligate the entire grant. These funds will provide for the purchase of foreclosed or abandoned properties, and the redevelopment, rehabilitation or demolition of these properties in order to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the decline of values of neighboring homes.
This legislation will implement asbestos abatement, a prerequisite to the demolition portion of the NSP program, for 1292-1294 N. Fifth St. (010-024574) and 1329-1331 N. Sixth St. (010-024598) by authorizing the Development Director to enter into a contract with Safeco Environmental, Inc. to provide asbestos abatement services on blighted vacant structures. Safeco Environmental, Inc. was selected from a pool of five companies that responded to the request for bids under the informal bid process in City Code 329.08. The Land Redevelopment Office expected the lowest bid to be under $20,000; however, the lowest bid was $29,550, exceeding the limit for informal bidding. The company was selected based on lowest bid, prior experience, and qualifications. The formal bidding process must be waived to award this contract under City Code 329.09. In order to cover any unforeseen overages, this contract will need a 15% contingency for a total of $33,982.
Safeco Environmental, Inc., Contract Compliance #03-0396927 (Expires 02/26/12)
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency action is requested in order to remove blighted vacant structures in City neighborhoods as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available from a $22,845,495 Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Department's 2009 NSP budget includes funds for the abatement of asbestos prior to the demolition of properties.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Safeco Environmental, Inc. for the provision of asbestos abatement services on vacant structures within the municipal boundaries of the City of Columbus; to authorize the expenditure of up to $33,982 from the General Government Grant Fund; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Code; and to declare an emergency ($33,982).
Body
WHEREAS, ordinance 1860-2008 adopted the City's Neighborhood Stabilization Program, authorized the filing of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program application with HUD, and made a substantial amendment to the Consolidated Plan's 2008 Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City's NSP application specified the expenditure of funds to demolish properties that meet the program's requirements as established in Title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008; and
WHEREAS, the Land Redevelopment Office is expecting to demolish more than 100 structures under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program which may require asbestos abatement. Additional contracts may be necessary in the future to meet the program goal; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with Safeco Environmental, Inc. to provide asbestos abatement services for the Land Redevelopment Office; and
WHEREAS, Safeco Environmental, Inc. was selected based on lowest bid, prior experience, and qualifications from a pool of five companies that responded to the request for bids (2010 SO-033212); and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said contract to abate asbestos from vacant, blighted structures in order to avoid delaying implementation of the demolition program and meeting the deadline for obligating the grant, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; 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 contract with Safeco Environmental, Inc. to abate asbestos from the blighted structures known as 1292-1294 N. Fifth St. (010-024574) and 1329-1331 N. Sixth St. (010-024598).
Section 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $33,982 or so much thereof as may be necessary, the Department of Development, General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, Grant No. 440500, Division No. 44-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3412, OCA Code 440502 for the aforesaid purpose is hereby authorized.
Section 3. That the formal bidding requirements of Chapter 329.09 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 are waived for the contract with Safeco Environmental, Inc. for asbestos abatement at 1294 N. Fifth St. (010-024574) and 1329-1331 N. Sixth St. (010-024598).
Section 4. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.