Explanation
BACKGROUND: The collective bargaining contract between the City of Columbus and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local #67 expires May 31, 2007. Representatives of the City and the IAFF have mutually agreed to resume collective bargaining negotiations in an effort to arrive at a successor collective bargaining contract as expeditiously as possible.
The City has no in-house chief negotiator. This legislation authorizes the Director of Human Resources to enter into a contract with Baker & Hostetler (compliance #340082025) to assist in negotiating a successor agreement with the IAFF and to authorize the expenditure of $125,000.00. It is imperative that negotiations commence with IAFF soon so that a successor contract can be achieved expeditiously. The law firm of Baker & Hostetler has been solicited to provide assistance in collective bargaining negotiations because of its experience representing the City of Columbus in previous negotiations. The competitive bid process would exacerbate an already protracted process and would not be conducive to bringing the negotiations to closure in an expeditious fashion. Therefore, competitive bidding requirements would be waived.
EMERGENCY: Emergency action is requested in order that preparation for negotiations may commence subsequent to the passage of this legislation.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is being provided from the General Fund of the Department of Human Resources.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a contract with the law firm of Baker & Hostetler for the purpose of preparing for and negotiating a successor collective bargaining contract between the City and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local #67; to authorize the expenditure of $125,000 from the General Fund; to waive the competitive bid requirements of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency ($125,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, the collective bargaining contract between the City and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local #67 expires May 31, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the City has no in-house chief negotiator; and
WHEREAS, the law firm of Baker & Hostetler has provided effective assistance in preparation for and negotiating previous collective bargaining contracts for the City; and
WHEREAS, it is in the mutual best interests of the City and the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local #67 to resume collective bargaining negotiations, therefore requiring the waiver of the competitive bidding provisions set forth in the Columbus City Codes; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Baker & Hostetler in order to resume collective bargaining negotiations, 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 Baker & Hostetler to assist the City in the preparation for and the negotiation of a successor collective bargaining contract with the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local #67.
SECTION 2. That the provisions of Chapter 329.10 of the Columbus City Codes be waived.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $125,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund 01-10, Human Resources Department 46-01, Character 03, OCA 281667, Minor Object 3336 to pay the cost thereof.
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.