Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the City Attorney to modify and increase the contract with Bricker and Eckler, LLP for special legal counsel services. In 2007, the City Attorney retained the services of this law firm to provide advice on a variety of proposed City projects that required specialized legal services. In order to pay for services already rendered and to fund continued services contemplated by the original contract, the City Attorney is seeking to increase funding for this contract by an additional $20,000.
Fiscal Impact: This modification will be funded from surplus funds from the City Attorney's budget for 2009. The amount of this contract modification is $20,000.
Emergency Designation: This oridnance has been submitted as an emergency measure because there are outstanding invoices that must be paid at the earliest possible date.
Contract Compliance: Bricker and Eckler's contract compliance number is 314359739 and is valid through February 4, 2011.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to modify and increase the contract with Bricker and Eckler, LLP for special legal counsel services; to authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer $20,000.00 within the General Fund in the City Attorney's Office; to authorize the expenditure of up to $20,000; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes, 1959; and to declare an emergency. ($20,000)
Body
WHEREAS, in 2007, the City Attorney engaged the services of Bricker and Eckler, LLP to provide advice in evaluating certain loan documentation for proposed City projects and such other related services as the City Attorney may require; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to modify and increase the existing contract in order to pay for services already rendered by Bricker and Eckler, LLP as well as to fund the performance of services agreed to in the original contract between the parties; and
WHEREAS, funds are available within the City Attorney's budget to be transferred to pay for special legal counsel services; and
WHEREAS, such increased funding shall not exceed $20,000; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 so that continuity of these specialized services is maintained; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to modify and increase this contract in order to timely pay invoices for services already rendered and to enable the City Attorney to have the ability to pay for continued legal advice relating to these matters for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO:
Section 1. That the City Attorney be and hereby is authorized to modify and increase the contract for special legal counsel services with Bricker and Eckler in an amount not to exceed $20,000.
Section 2. That for the purpose specificed in Section 1, the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $20,000 within the General Fund, Fund 10, City Attorney's Office, Division 24-01 from Object Level One 1, Object Level Three 1101, OCA Code 240119 to Object Level One 3, Object Level Three 3324, OCA Code 240101.
Section 3. That for the purpose of paying costs of the modification, the City Attorney is hereby authorized to approve and expend $20,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such agreement, from the General Fund, Fund 10, City Attorney's Office, Division 24-01, OCA Code 240101, Object Level One 3, Object Level Three 3324.
Section 4. That for good cause shown, the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 are hereby waived.
Section 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which are hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force after passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.