Explanation
BACKGROUND
Necol Russell Washington (operating as Necol Russell Washington Law Office) is the certification mediator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The Contractor assists the Office when there is a disagreement regarding a certification application (including certification applications for MBE, WBE, and SRBE certifications) that has been denied and results in the applicant moving forward with an appeal process.
This legislation seeks to authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a for profit service contract modification with the Contractor to ensure that there is no lapse in services, as the contract is approaching its current expiration.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is necessary to ensure that there will not be an interruption in services provided by Necol Russell Washington (operating as Necol Russell Washington Law Office) as the contract will expire on December 31, 2026; further, there is anticipation of needing to use these services in the near future, so the contract and funding must be in place in advance of the need.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The contract compliance number for Necol Russell Washington (operating as Necol Russell Washington Law Office) is 002616 and expires on 5/13/2028.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funds associated with this agreement have already been encumbered on PO495588. ($0.00)
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to enter into a for profit service contract modification with Necol Russell Washington (operating as Necol Russell Washington Law Office); and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City has a need for a hearing officer over certification appeals/legal consulting; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to extend the expiration of this agreement in order for the contractor to complete the work associated with this agreement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency measure is an ordinance or resolution for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health or safety, or providing for an emergency in the usual daily operation of a municipal department, in which the emergency is set forth and defined in a preamble thereto; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual and daily operation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in that it is immediately necessary for the Office to enter into a contract modification to ensure the mediation services provided by the Contractor do not lapse, given the imminent contract termination date of December 31, 2026, all for the immediate preservation of 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 Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hereby authorized to enter into a for profit service contract modification with Necol Russell Washington (operating as Necol Russell Washington Law Office).
SECTION 2. That this modification is in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code.
SECTION 3. That for 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.