Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the purchase of a food truck for use in the Department of Recreation and Parks Summer Food program. Food trucks for summer meal programs have demonstrated throughout the United States that bringing the meals to the children in areas of need have provided more awareness of those programs in those areas with the highest proportion of the target population. Instead of the kids coming to facilities where meals are provided, the food is brought to the kids. The truck will also serve as a promotional tool for the meal programs that we provide not only in the summer months but during the school year. The truck will be painted with bright colors and a phone number and web page for people to find food service locations closest to them. Providing a food truck makes it fun for the kids and reduces the stigma often associated with free meals. Areas such as New York, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis Public Schools, New Haven, rural Tennessee, Indiana County, and Boston are just some of the areas that are using food trucks and buses to deliver meals to children in need. Alliance City Schools, Athens County, Hocking County, Perry County, Reynoldsburg City Schools are some examples of areas in Ohio that are using the food trucks and buses to also deliver meals. These areas have proven that with the use of the food truck and buses the number of children being fed has increased tremendously.
Only 1 out of 6 kids that gets free or reduced priced school meals receive summer meals. Millions of kids and teens are at-risk of going hungry during the summer months. 21 million children received free or reduced priced meals during the school year during 2013. Our goal with the food truck is to continue increasing the number of children that we feed by making more families aware of all the programs available to assist them with food insecurity.
Bids were advertised in the City Bulletin and were received by the Purchasing Office on September 25, 2014 for Bid SA-005579 as follows:
Status Amount
All A Cart Manufacturing, Inc. MAJ $135,901.00
Vending Trucks, Inc. MAJ $139,670.00
Principal Parties:
All A Cart Manufacturing, Inc.
2001 Courtright Road, Columbus, Ohio 43232
Jeffery J. Morris, (614) 442-5544
31-1241530 exp. April 16, 2016
Emergency Justification:
An emergency exists in that the lengthy lead time required for construction of the food truck will need to be met in order for it to be available in time to meet the start of the Summer Food Program.
Fiscal Impact:
$135,901.00 is budgeted and available in the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with All A Cart Manufacturing, Inc. on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department for the purchase of a food service truck; to authorize the expenditure of $135,901.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($135,901.00)
Body
WHEREAS, bids were advertised in the City Bulletin and were received by the Purchasing Office on September 25, 2014 for the food service truck and will be awarded to All A Cart Manufacturing, Inc. on the basis of lowest and best responsive bidder; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said contract so that the lengthy lead time required for construction of the food truck will be met in order for it to be available for the Summer Food Program; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with All A Cart Manufacturing, Inc., on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department, for the purchase of a food service truck.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $135,901.00 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 702, as follows:
Project OCA Code Object Level 3 Amount
510040-100003 (Refrigerated Vehicle) 724003 6652 $135,901.00
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
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 its passage and approval by the Mayor, or 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.