Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a purchase order with Fifth Third Processing Solutions for credit card processing services. The Fifth Third Processing Solutions contract with the City expired on February 28, 2006 and the Treasurer's Office contract with Huntington Merchant Services LLC was scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2006. Contract negotiations with processing agent Paypal, Inc. have delayed the implementation of the contract for the foreseeable future. Until this negotiation process is complete the Division of Power and Water will be unable to provide its customers the option of paying their water bill by credit card through the World Wide Web. The Division of Power and Water would like to enter into a purchase order with Fifth Third Processing Solutions, for credit card processing services rendered, in the amount of $40,000, or as much thereof as may be needed, and to waive the provisions of competitive bidding. The Contract Compliance number for Fifth Third Processing Solutions is 31-0740333. They do not have certified MBE/FBE status.
It is requested that this Ordinance be handled in an emergency manner, as the division would like to pay for credit card processing services rendered as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available in the Division of Operational Support Operating budget to cover this expense.
$149,507.52 was expended for credit card processing services in 2005.
$79,388.21 was expended for credit card processing services in 2004.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to establish a purchase order with Fifth Third Processing Solutions, for credit card processing services, to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, to authorize the expenditure of $40,000.00 from the Water Operating and Sewer Operating-Sanitary Funds, and to declare an emergency. ($40,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the purpose of this ordinance is to establish a purchase order with Fifth Third Processing Solutions for credit card processing services, and
WHEREAS, the Fifth Third Processing Solutions contract with the City expired on February 28, 2006 and the Treasurer's Office contract with Huntington Merchant Services LLC was scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2006, and
WHEREAS, contract negotiations with the processing agent Paypal, Inc. have delayed the implementation of the contract for the foreseeable future, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Power and Water, Department of Public Utilities, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a purchase order, with Fifth Third Processing Solutions, for credit card processing services, in an emergency manner in order to allow for expedited payment of services, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to enter into a purchase order, with Fifth Third Processing Solutions, for credit card processing services, for the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power and Water.
Section 2. That in accordance with Section 329.27 of the Columbus City Code, this Council finds the best interest of the City is served by waiving, and does hereby waive Section 329.06 (Formal Competitive Bidding) of the Columbus City Code.
Section 3. That the expenditure of $40,000.00 or as much thereof as may be needed, are hereby authorized from Water Operating Fund, Fund No. 600 and Sewer Operating-Sanitary Fund, Fund No. 650, Departments 60-09 and 60-05, respectively, Object Level One 02, Object Level Three numbers, OCA Codes, and amounts listed below, to pay the cost thereof.
OCA
Vendor Code OBL 3 Amount
Fifth Third Processing Solutions 600205 3348 $20,000.00
600209 3348 $20,000.00
$40,000.00
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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.