Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Development to enter into contracts for various expenditures for construction and professional services for properties managed by the Land Reutilization Program. Work may include any type of renovation of Land Bank property, such as roofing, gutters, masonry repair, structural engineering and architectural evaluation, asbestos testing and removal, and similar work necessary to stabilize and improve structures for resale and to correct violations of City Code. Many of the properties are targeted under the Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiative and such work will allow the Land Bank to save certain structures from demolition.
Contracts will be established in accordance with the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes or through State Term Contract RS900415- Repair and Maintenance- Job Order Contracting (JOC) or any subsequent replacement contract established by the State of Ohio.
Emergency action is requested to have funds available for stabilization costs associated with unexpected work on properties acquired under the Land Reutilization Program.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $500,000.00 in the Development Taxable Bonds Fund for various unplanned renovations and improvements for properties held in the Land Reutilization Program.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into contracts for miscellaneous repairs and renovations for properties managed by the Land Reutilization Program; to authorize the expenditure of $500,000.00 from the Development Taxable Bonds Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, by Ordinance 1325-98, Council adopted and elected to use the Revised Code Chapter 5722, Land Reutilization Program, to facilitate effective reutilization of nonproductive land acquired through a sale pursuant to a foreclosure proceeding initiated by the Franklin County Treasurer, or through a sale of forfeited lands by the Franklin County Auditor, or through a conveyance in lieu of foreclosure to foster either return of such land to tax revenue generating status or its devotion to public use, or any other land acquired as part of the land reutilization program; and
WHEREAS, the Land Reutilization Program acquires hundreds of vacant properties each year for demolition or resale and these contracts will allow the Land Bank Program to save properties from demolition; and
WHEREAS, by Ordinance 0416-2015 passed February 23, 2015, Columbus City Council authorized the expenditure of $152,339.00 for the same work and the funds were expended; and
WHEREAS, it is now necessary to enter into contracts and provide funds for miscellaneous repairs and renovation activities for stabilization of Land Bank properties; and
WHEREAS, all expenditures from this project, with the exception of emergencies, will be accomplished pursuant to the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 or through State Term Contract RS900415- Repair and Maintenance- Job Order Contracting (JOC) or any subsequent replacement contract established by the State of Ohio; and
WHEREAS, funds are currently available in the Development Taxable Bonds Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Land Redevelopment Office, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contracts for the Land Reutilization Program so that the projects can proceed without delay, thereby preserving 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 Development is hereby authorized to enter into contracts for miscellaneous construction and professional services for the Land Reutilization Program.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $500,000.00 from the Development Taxable Bonds Fund is here by authorized as follows:
Fund: 739
Project: 782004-100000
Project Name: Vacant Housing Demolition
O.L. 01 - 03 Codes: 06-6617
OCA Code: 739040
Amount: $500,000.00
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. 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 monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 6. That all work will be based on three estimates and awarded pursuant to the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 or through State Term Contract RS900415- Repair and Maintenance- Job Order Contracting (JOC) or any subsequent replacement contract established by the State of Ohio. City Council recognizes that this ordinance does not identify the contractor(s) to whom the contract(s) will be awarded and understands that its passage will give the Director of the Department of Development the final decision in determination of the lowest, best, responsive and responsible bidder for such contract(s). This Council is satisfied it is in the best interests of the City to delegate this contracting decision.
SECTION 7. 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 its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.