Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to make payment to for services rendered with Emergency Networking, Inc. Emergency Networking, Inc. provides software that the Division of Fire utilizes to track metrics for the RREACT program. The Division of Fire was delayed in setting up the contract documents and, therefore, services were rendered without a contract. Although the Auditor's office has issued a purchase order with Emergency Networking, an invoice cannot be paid without an approved ordinance of Council.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $47,700.00 is available and appropriated for the payment of this expenditure in Fund 2220 within the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire, as noted in the attached “Then and Now Certificate” as approved by the City Auditor.
Emergency Designation: This ordinance is being processed as emergency legislation because the services have already been rendered.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to make payment to Emergency Networking, Inc., per invoice approved by the Department Director (or designee) in an amount not to exceed $47,700.00 from Fund 2220; and to declare an emergency. ($47,700.00).
Body
WHEREAS, Emergency Networking, Inc., provided services to the City of Columbus, and,
WHEREAS, after these goods or services were rendered, the City received an invoice for which a purchase order, with a prior certification of availability of funds by the City Auditor attached, had not been obtained; and,
WHEREAS, Section 5705.41 (D)(1) of the Ohio Revised Code provides that in certain circumstances a political subdivision may authorize payment on a contract 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 contract and at the time of the execution of such certificate a sufficient sum appropriated for the purpose of such contract 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, less than thirty days have passed since the City Council’s receipt of the certificate from the City Auditor; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to satisfy the obligations of the contract; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire, in that it is immediately necessary to present this ordinance for the City Auditor to issue a warrant in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.41 (D)(1), because the services have already been rendered, all for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; and now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. 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 to Emergency Networking, Inc., per invoice approved by the Department Director (or designee) in an amount not to exceed $47,700.00.
SECTION 2. 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.