Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a services contract with Yellow Bird Food Shed LLC in the amount of up to $100,000.00 for the produce distribution service contract.
Yellow Bird Food Shed LLC works with over 100 growers and producers in Ohio, offering sustainably raised, harvested, transported, and consumed products. Yellow Bird supports personal health, planetary health through decreased fossil fuels and sustainable growing practices, fair treatment of food, growers, and laborers, and fair treatment of animals and land.
The intent of this contract is to provide the City of Columbus, Department of Human Resources, with a vendor to distribute organic, Ohio-grown produce to City of Columbus employees. Yellow Bird will provide produce to City employees during the Department of Human Resources events, City-hosted events, farmers' markets, and more. The Department of Human Resources requests to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 to enter into a contract with Yellow Bird Food Shed LLC, so the City can support a small Ohio business with deep ties to the community promoting personal health, planetary health through decreased fossil fuels and sustainable growing practices, fair treatment of food, growers, and laborers, and fair treatment of animals and land.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Yellow Bird Food Shed LLC’s contract compliance number is CC-051235 and expires 12/10/2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract will be available within Fund 5502, the Employee Benefits Fund.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is respectfully requested to allow contract services to continue without interruption.
Title
To authorize the Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a professional services contract with Yellow Bird Food Shed LLC for the produce distribution service contract; to authorize the expenditure of up to $100,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund to pay for this contract; to authorize the expenditure of funds for reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a contract with Yellow Bird Food Shed LLC to provide produce distribution services in the amount of up to $100,000.00; and
WHEREAS, Yellow Bird Food Shed LLC works with over 100 growers and producers in Ohio, offering products that are sustainably raised, harvested, transported, and consumed.
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $100,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund to pay for the contract; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to waive relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code relating to competitive bidding in this situation so the City can support a small Ohio business with deep ties to the community promoting personal health, planetary health through decreased fossil fuels and sustainable growing practices, fair treatment of food, growers, and laborers, and fair treatment of animals and land; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Human Resources in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Interim Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a service contract with Yellow Bird Food Shed LLC in order to provide funding for Produce Distribution so that services may continue without disruption,, and 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 Interim Director of Human Resources be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a professional services contract with Yellow Bird Food Shed LLC, of 13246 Wooster Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050, for the produce distribution service contract in an amount up to $100,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $100,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund), Dept-Div 4601 (Human Resources), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of up to $20 per person per meal for reasonable food and non-alcoholic beverage expenses is hereby authorized and declared to be for a proper public purpose.
SECTION 4. That City Council hereby finds it to be in the best interests of the City to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 5. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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.