Explanation
Background: The Department of Finance and Management, Facilities Management Division manages over 89 city-owned facilities with over 4.0 million square feet. The division is responsible for the repair, maintenance, cleaning and upkeep of the facilities under its purview. The Waterworks, LLC provided plumbing services to the City of Columbus pursuant to the terms of the city’s then-effective UTC for plumbing services and after expiration of said UTC. This ordinance seeks approval and authorization for payment of invoices for services rendered prior to creation of a purchase order ($49,307.49) and those prior to execution of a new contract ($8,641.00), and authorizes the Finance and Management Department to enter into contract with The Waterworks, LLC and reimburse for expenses incurred during the UTC lapse period. A waiver of competitive bidding provisions of Section 329 of Columbus City Code is necessary for the period when there was no UTC available. This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to make payment to The Waterworks, LLC for services rendered.
Fiscal Impact: Funding in the amount of $57,948.49 is available and appropriated for the payment of this expenditure in Fund 1000 within the Department of Finance & Management-Facilities Management Division.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: This ordinance requires emergency action so that Finance & Management may pay the past due invoices and to avoid a further delay in necessary plumbing services.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to make payment to The Waterworks, LLC for services rendered prior to execution of a purchase order in an amount not to exceed $49,307.49; to authorize the Finance and Management Department to enter into contract with The Waterworks, LLC; to allow for the reimbursement of for expenses incurred during the City's UTC lapse period starting March 1, 2026; to authorize an expenditure from the general fund; to waive competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($57,948.49)
Body
WHEREAS, The Department of Finance and Management, Facilities Management Division manages over 89 city-owned facilities with over 4.0 million square feet; and
WHEREAS, the Facilities Management Division is responsible for the repair, maintenance, cleaning and upkeep of the facilities under its purview; and
WHEREAS, The Waterworks, LLC provided necessary plumbing services to the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, after these services were rendered, the City received invoices totaling $49,307.49 for services rendered under the previously existing UTC for which a purchase order, with a prior certification of availability of funds by the City Auditor had not been prepared; and
WHEREAS, Section 5705.41(D)(1) of the Ohio Revised Code provides that in certain circumstances a political subdivision may authorize payment on an order executed without prior certification by the City Auditor; and
WHEREAS, the City Council now has before it a certificate from the City Auditor certifying there was at the time of making the order and at the time of the execution of such certificate a sufficient sum appropriated for the purpose of such order and in the treasury or in process of collection to the credit of an appropriate fund free from any encumbrances (a “then and now certificate”); and
WHEREAS, necessary plumbing services were performed prior to execution of a new contract during the lapse period between the City's UTC with The Waterworks, LLC for plumbing services; and
WHEREAS, the Finance and Management Department seeks authorization to enter into contract with The Waterworks, LLC; and
WHEREAS, a waiver of competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code is necessary to enter into contract; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to seek authorization to reimburse The Waterworks, LLC for an amount of $8,641.00 for services rendered during the UTC's lapse period starting March 1, 2026;
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to satisfy the obligations of all past due invoices to The Waterwork, LLC; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Finance and Management-Facilities Management Division in that it is immediately necessary the City Auditor to make payment to The Waterworks, LLC in the amount of $49,307.49 for services rendered during the previous UTC and to immediately authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with The Waterworks, LLC, to avoid a delay in processing outstanding invoices for plumbing services already rendered to the City and to avoid a further delay in necessary plumbing services, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That payment of invoices for services rendered prior to creation of a purchase order and those prior to execution of a new contract are hereby authorized.
SECTION 2. That the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into contract with The Waterworks, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $8,641.00, and to allow for reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the purchase order starting March 1, 2026.
SECTION 3. That competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code, Section 329 are hereby waived to enter into this contract.
SECTION 4. That City Council hereby acknowledges receipt of the “then and now certificate” from the City Auditor and authorizes and directs the City Auditor to authorize payment in the amount not to exceed $49,307.49 to The Waterworks LLC per invoice approved by the Department Director (or designee).
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $57,948.49, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized from the general fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 7. 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 ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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 approved by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.