Explanation
BACKGROUND: The "Focus On Safety" Photo Red Light Camera program saves lives and decreases injury and property damage by reducing deadly right-angle crashes caused by drivers who attempt to "beat the light." The City of Columbus has a Photo Red Light Program that has been in place since December 2005. The success of the Columbus program is demonstrated by a dramatic change in driver behavior as shown by a significant decrease in crashes at photo equipped intersections and an overall reduction in the running of red lights.
The purpose of this ordinance is to allow the Director of Public Safety to contract for a limited expansion of the public safety program by doubling the camera systems from 20 to 40 and to introduce mobile speed camera vehicles equipped with automated license plate readers to patrol school zones, parks, playgrounds, and pools. Public Safety and Redflex originally entered into a contract for services and related equipment for a three year period which expired in March 2009 and was subsequently modified and extended for an additional year.
This ordinance also authorizes the City Auditor to transfer $31,200 within the Photo Red Light Fund, from personnel to contractual services to allow for the purchase of license plate reader systems by the contractor.
Contract Compliance Number: 943292233. Expires 3/23/2011.
Fiscal Impact. This ordinance authorizes the transfer and expenditure of $31,200.00 within the Photo Red Light Fund for the purchase of the license plate reader systems from Redflex. There will be no fiscal impact on General Fund expenditures. The contractor's compensation shall consist of a percentage per citation paid. Approximately $31,200.00 will be expended from the Photo Red Light Fund to purchase up to four automatic license plate reader systems. The Contractor's compensation in the past four years has been deducted from revenues generated.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to transfer $31,200.00 within the Photo Red Light Fund and to authorize the Director of Public Safety to modify and extend the contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. for the continuation, maintenance, and limited expansion of the focus on safety photo red light enforcement program; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes; and authorize the expenditure of $31,200.00 from the Photo Red Light Fund. ($31,200.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has in excess of 15,000 intersections, of which approximately 1,008 are signalized and of which 18 are equipped with photo red light cameras; and
WHEREAS, the photo red light camera system saves lives by reducing deadly right-angle crashes due to drivers attempting to "beat the light"; and
WHEREAS, the success of the Columbus system is demonstrated by a dramatic decrease in driver behavior as shown by an average overall annual reduction from 68 to 16 crashes at camera protected intersections which is tantamount to a 76.5 percent reduction of right-angle crashes; and
WHEREAS, the success of the Columbus system is also demonstrated by an overall reduction of 58.9 percent in red light violations; and
WHEREAS, expanding the systems from 20 to 40 should result in the same outstanding public safety benefits; and
WHEREAS, it is not recommended to retrofit our existing photo red light cameras nor introduce new fixed speed cameras at any location; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus system will utilize mobile speed vehicles to patrol areas where children assemble, i.e. school zones, parks, playgrounds, and pools; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Safety is authorized to modify and extend the contract with the Redflex Traffic Systems from the period 2010 to 2013 with additional options; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code, 1959 so that continuity of these specialized services are maintained; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus will receive a greater share of revenue from the vendor; and
WHEREAS it is necessary for the City Auditor to transfer funds within the Photo Red Light Fund, from Personnel to Contractual Services; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Safety is authorized to modify and extend the contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona for the continuation, maintenance, and limited expansion of the focus on safety photo red light enforcement program.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer funds within the Photo Red Light Fund as follows:
FROM: Dept/Div 30-03|Fund 293|OCA Code 293001|Obj Level One 01| Object Level Three 1000| Amount $31,200.00
TO: Dept/Div 30-03|Fund 293|OCA Code 293001|Obj Level One 03| Object Level Three 3336| Amount $31,200.00
SECTION 3 That for the purpose specified in Section 1, an expenditure of $31,200.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from The Department of Public Safety, Division of Police 30-03: Fund 293| OCA Code 293001| Object Level One 03|Object Level Three 3336. to purchase up to four automatic license plate reader systems.
SECTION 4. That the Council of the City of Columbus finds it is in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Codes, 1959, 329.06.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from the earliest period allowed by law.