Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Safety to enter into contract with Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEMHS). The FCEMHS is responsible for managing the outdoor warning siren system within Franklin County not only by coordinating siren locations, but also by providing for their maintenance, relocation, and activation. This legislation will authorize the replacement of a tornado siren at McCoy Park that is at the end of its operational life and is mounted on a rotten and leaning pole. The new siren will be an updated model with a greater coverage area, which will allow for the removal of the siren at Greenlawn Ave. and Front St. The legislation will also authorize the replacement of the end-of-life control panel on another siren and the upgrade of that siren to solar charging.
Emergency Designation: Emergency designation is needed to avoid a potentially dangerous situation at McCoy Park. The existing pole is rotten and leaning and could fall, potentially causing damage and/or injuries.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $80,215.56 from the 2025 General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into contract with Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEMHS) for the repair and replacement of tornado sirens and associated equipment; to authorize the expenditure of $80,215.56 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($80,215.56)
Body
WHEREAS, Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEMHS) is responsible for managing the outdoor warning siren system within Franklin County not only by coordinating siren locations, but also by providing for their maintenance, relocation, and activation; and
WHEREAS, Siren 3325 at McCoy Park is at the end of its operational life and the pole it is mounted on is rotten and leaning; and
WHEREAS, Removing Siren 3325 and replacing it with an upgraded model with a greater coverage area will allow for the removal of Siren 4331 at the intersection of Greenlawn Ave. and Front St., thereby saving the City money in annual siren fees; and
WHEREAS, Siren 3313 has an end-of-life control panel and FCEMHS advises replacing the control panel and upgrading it to be capable of solar charging; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety desires to enter into contract with FCEMHS for this replacement and repair work; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Public Safety Director to enter into contract with Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEMHS) for the repair and replacement of tornado sirens and associated equipment, as quickly as possible in order to avoid a potentially dangerous situation, 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 the Director of the Department of Public Safety be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEMHS) for the repair and replacement of tornado sirens and associated equipment.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $80,215.56, or so much thereof as may be necessary for said purpose, is hereby authorized from the General Fund 1000-100010 in object Class 03, Contractual Services per the codes in the spreadsheet attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.