Explanation
BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with The Waterworks LLC, in an amount up to $40,000.00 to provide residential emergency heating, plumbing, and water and sewer services as part of the Division of Housing’s Emergency Repair Program. Approval is also requested for reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order, starting June 1, 2023.
Emergency Heating, Plumbing, and Water and Sewer Repair is part of the Emergency Repair Program, operated by the Division of Housing. The program was established to assist low and moderate-income homeowners with heating, plumbing, and water and sewer issues that constitute an emergency condition. Emergency repairs under this legislation will address small and large-scale capital home improvements that, if not corrected, may require the owner to vacate their home. Most homeowners are at or below 50% AMI as defined by HUD with exceptions allowed up to 80% AMI.
The department advertised RFQ020531 on Vendor Services seeking contractors to provide emergency mechanical repairs on November 22, 2021 with bids being due on December 16, 2021.
Columbus City Council approved Ordinance 0333-2022 on February 28, 2022 authorizing the agreement with The Waterworks LLC in an amount up to $40,000.00 and five modifications were made to the agreement before expiring on December 31, 2023. Additional work was completed and expenses incurred during the term of the contract, but a modification to add funding to the agreement was not executed before the end of the contract term. A new agreement is required to reimburse The Waterworks LLC for services rendered with a start date of June 1, 2023 in an amount up to $40,000.00.
A waiver of competitive bidding is also requested as the work has been performed by The Waterworks LLC and incurred expenses require reimbursement.
Emergency action is requested to continue performing needed repairs for residents as quickly as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is available within the within the Department of Development, Housing Division 2024 General Fund budget.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The Waterworks LLC, vendor number 004777 and expires 3/9/2025.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with The Waterworks LLC to provide residential emergency heating, plumbing, and water and sewer services as part of the Division of Housing’s Emergency Repair Program; to authorize an expenditure in an amount up to $40,000.00; to authorize expenditures incurred prior to the creation of the Purchase Order; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($40,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Emergency Repair Program was established to assist low and moderate income homeowners with emergency heating, plumbing, and water and sewer services that would impact a household remaining safely in their home; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development advertised the Emergency Repair Program-Residential requesting pricing from contractors to provide emergency mechanical services; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Development entered into a contract with The Waterworks LLC to carry out program repairs under approved ordinance 0333-2022 and five Council approved contract modifications; and
WHEREAS, additional work was completed and expenses incurred during the term of the contract, but a modification to add funding to the agreement was not executed before the end of the contract term on December 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, a new agreement is required to reimburse The Waterworks LLC for services rendered with a start date of June 1, 2023 and to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with The Waterworks LLC as there exists no current heating, plumbing, and water and sewer contractor to provide services under the Emergency Repair Program, without which, residents of these households, who cannot afford the expense of services, may not be able to remain in their homes, 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 Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract, in an amount up to $40,000.00, with The Waterworks LLC, to provide residential emergency heating, plumbing, and water and sewer services as part of the Division of Housing’s Emergency Repair Program. Reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order, starting June 1, 2023, is also authorized.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $40,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-10 (Housing), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance
SECTION 3: That this Council finds it is in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes to enter into this contract and such are hereby waived.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are 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. 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.