Explanation
BACKGROUND
The Interim Director of Human Resources seeks the authority to utilize the services of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP for consulting services connected to collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP has been solicited to provide assistance because of a partner’s experience representing the City of Columbus in previous negotiations with all bargaining units. This legislation authorizes the Department of Human Resources to enter into a contract for professional consulting services with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP.
This legislation authorizes the Interim Director of Human Resources to enter into a contract with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP. It will further authorize the expenditure of $400,000.00 to compensate the contractor for services rendered in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. The competitive bid process would not be conducive to ongoing and anticipated negotiations, as a partner with the firm brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and experience in ongoing labor relations issues with the City of Columbus. Therefore, competitive bidding requirements are being waived.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
The contract compliance number for Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP is CC-006060 and expires on 4/3/2027.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract will be available within Fund 5502, the Employee Benefits Fund.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is respectfully requested to allow contract services to continue without interruption.
Title
To authorize the Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a contract with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP to provide consulting services connected to collective bargaining negotiations and related activities; to authorize the expenditure of $400,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Codes; and declare an emergency. ($400,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Human Resources requires the labor relations consulting services provided by Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP; and
WHEREAS, a partner with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP has provided ongoing assistance to the City of Columbus in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to waive relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code relating to competitive bidding in this situation due to a partner of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP having institutional knowledge and experience in ongoing labor relations issues;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Human Resources in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into contract with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP in order to provide funding for the Labor Relations Consulting so that services may continue without disruption, all 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 Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a service contract with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP, of 41 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215, for the Labor Relations Consulting Services contract from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, in an amount up to $400,000.00.
SECTION 2. That Council finds it is in the City’s best interests to waive the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes regarding competitive bidding, and the same are hereby waived.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $400,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund), Dept-Div 4601 (Human Resources), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
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.