Explanation
Background:
This ordinance will establish an Auditor's certificate and authorize the expenditures for the purchase of needed Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) equipment through the City of Columbus Purchasing office.
All bids will be obtained and contracts awarded using City Code 329, however this legislation will set up all the required funding to enter into contracts with the vendors on an as-needed basis.
In order to commence the removal of the infested and hazardous trees immediately, we are requesting the authorization of $190,000 in Voted Bond Funds and the authorization for the Director of Recreation and Parks and the Director of Finance and Management to enter into various contracts relating to the EAB management process and equipment needs.
All equipment will be bid through the City of Columbus Purchasing System and all contracts will be approved by the Director of Finance and Management.
In order to have any equipment needs available for the removal of EAB damaged trees especially the larger trees, it is necessary to authorize this expenditure to have the funding and approval complete when the bidding has been finalized.
Competitive bids will be solicited and opened by the Purchasing Office or obtained through any current universal term contract for the following pieces of equipment:
Item Estimated Cost
Aerial Lift and various equipment $210,000.00
The additional $20,000.00 of estimated equipment costs to come from Existing AC#033035-003
Ord. #1905-2011
Emergency legislation is required to proceed with the removal of hazardous and infested trees immediately.
Fiscal Impact:
$190,000.00 is required and budgeted in the Voted Recreation and parks Bond Fund 702 to meet the financial obligations of these various expenditures.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into various contracts for the purchase of equipment and vehicles for the Recreation and Parks Department; to establish an Auditor's Certificate in the amount of $190,000.00; to authorize the expenditure of $190,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($190,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office will solicit competitive bids to acquire various equipment and vehicles for the Recreation and Parks Department; and
WHEREAS, funding is available for these purchases from unallocated balances within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 702; 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 contracts for tree removal and management due to the hazardous nature 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 Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized to enter into contracts as listed within this legislation on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department.
SECTION 2. That the purchase of equipment and vehicles, through the City of Columbus Purchasing system, is necessary for existing operations, and future removal of damaged trees.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $190,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Recreation and Parks Build America Bond Fund No. 702, Dept. 51-01 as follows:
$190,000.00 Project No. 510039-100002 Emerald Ash Borer, Object Level 3 #6652, OCA Code 723902
SECTION 4. 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 the monies are no longer required for said project; except that no transfer shall be so made from a project account funded by monies from more than one source.
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 legislation
SECTION 6. That this Council hereby recognizes that this ordinance does not identify specific contractors or vendors for the expenditure purposes authorized herein and hereby delegates sole and final contracting decisions relative to the determination of lowest, best, most responsive andmost responsible vendor(s) to the Director of Recreation and Parks and or the Director of Finance and Management.
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 its passage and approval by the Mayor, or 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.