Explanation
Since 1997, the City of Columbus has participated in the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Premium Discount Program (PDP), exhibiting an ongoing effort to further promote workplace safety, efficient claims management and effective managed care. Involvement in the Drug Free Workplace Program further exemplifies a commitment to employee health and safety. As a result of its participation in Bureau sponsored Premium Discount Programs the City has periodically received Workers' Compensation Premium rebates. The Bureau has steadfastly encouraged employers to invest their rebates toward the enhancement of occupational health and safety programs and initiatives. This legislation enables the City to do so.
The City, through the Health Department's Occupational Health Clinic, historically provided industrial hygiene and other occupational health services to various Departments and Divisions. The industrial hygiene services as required by State and Federal law, were accomplished by a full time staff of industrial hygienists and other health service providers. Although the clinic has remained open, the industrial hygiene services have been discontinued due to significant budgetary constraints. These services continue to be required by State and Federal law and are currently being performed on a sporadic and inefficient basis. This practice is inconsistent with the administration's desire to improve the level of workplace safety and decrease the risk of exposure to injury.
This legislation authorizes the Director of Human Resources to enter into a 12-month contract with Emilcott/Safex Company to assist the City in providing industrial hygiene services and safety program assistance to all divisions (this allocation does not include costs that may be associated with purchasing or renting new equipment and training. Those cost will be addressed in separate legislation). It is imperative that industrial hygiene services and safety program assistance to all divisions commence immediately. The Emilcott/Safex Company has been identified to provide assistance in industrial hygiene services and safety program assistance because of its previous experience providing services to the City and its understanding of the City's operational needs. The competitive bid process would exacerbate an already protracted process and would not be conducive to bringing the industrial hygiene services and safety program assistance to closure in an expeditious fashion. Therefore, competitive bidding requirements would be waived. However, it is the Departments intent to immediately begin the competitive bidding process to ensure that all qualified providers are afforded the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to deliver this service in the most efficient and costs effective manner upon expiration of the 12-month agreement.
EMERGENCY: Emergency action is requested in order that industrial hygiene services and safety program assistance may commence on the earliest date subsequent to the passage of this legislation.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is being provided from cancellation of part of a 1998 encumbrance established in Finance to reserve a Workers' Compensation rebate received in 1998 for occupational health and safety purposes.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a 12-month contract with the Emilcott/Safex Company for the purpose of providing assistance as may be necessary in industrial hygiene services and safety program assistance to all divisions; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000 from the General Fund; to waive the competitive bid requirements of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency ($100,000)
Body
WHEREAS, The industrial hygiene services previously provided through the Occupational Health Clinic have been discontinued; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to provide industrial hygiene services in an efficient, cost effective and consistent manner; and
WHEREAS, the Emilcott/Safex Company has previously provided effective industrial hygiene service and safety program assistance and training for the City; and
WHEREAS, it is in the mutual best interest of the City and all Divisions to resume industrial hygiene services as expeditiously as possible, therefore requiring the waiver of the competitive bidding provisions set forth in the Columbus City Codes; and
WHEREAS, it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Emilcott/Safex Company 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 the Department of Human Resources is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Emilcott/Safex Company to assist the City in providing industrial hygiene services and safety program assistance to all divisions.
SECTION 2. That the provisions of Chapter 329.10 of the Columbus City Codes be waived.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to cancel $100,000 of AC 802523 and transfer appropriation within the General Fund (Fund 010) as follows:
From:
Department Division OL3 OCA Amount
Finance 45-01 5501 904508 $100,000
To:
Department Division OL3 OCA Amount
Human Resources 46-01 3336 281667 $100,000
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund 010, Human Resources Department 46-01, Character 03, OCA 281667, Minor Object 3336 to pay the cost thereof.
SECTION 5. 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.