Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service, or a designee, to expend up to $100,000.00 to facilitate the mobilization and deployment of Rocky Fork Company for the provision of snow removal and de-icing services during episodes of heavy snowfall this winter.
The Department of Public Service administers a variety of municipal services within the City of Columbus necessary to public health and safety, including snow removal and de-icing during inclement weather. With more than 90,000 lane miles of roadways to service each winter, the Department of Public Service seeks the assistance of other jurisdictions and independent contractors to supplement City crews on local roadways.
This year, the Department of Public Service posted two separate solicitations seeking local companies to assist in snow and ice removal operations on an on-call basis. Rocky Fork Company responded offering to support those operations by providing up to twenty four (24) trucks and staff capable of plowing or de-icing during heavy snowfall. This legislation seeks to authorize the execution of a service contract between the Department of Public Service and Rock Fork Company and the expenditure of up to $100,000.00 to support the same.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Rocky Fork Company will be required to become contract compliant prior to execution of the proposed service contract.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $100,000.00 is available within the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund to support the proposed expenditure.
4. REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Public Service posted two solicitations, RFQ025306 and RFQ026064, seeking information from prospective independent contractors with the availability and capacity to assist the Department of Public Service, Division of Infrastructure Management in snow removal and de-icing efforts during episodes of heavy snowfall. However, respondents, including Rocky Fork Company, were not required to submit a formal proposal or bid with the questionnaire they were asked to complete. For this reason, a request for waiver of the formal competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329 is requested to enable the Department of Public Service to contract with Rocky Fork Company, thereby quickly securing the needed vehicles and operators before winter commences.
5. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to ensure the Department of Public Service has the assistance it needs to make City roadways passable and safe in a timely and efficient manner in the aftermath of major snow events.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to enter into a service contract with Rocky Fork Company for the provision of snow removal and de-icing services this winter; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Codes to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 from the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund for that purpose; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service administers a variety of municipal services within the City of Columbus necessary to public health and safety, including snow removal and de-icing during inclement weather; and
WHEREAS, since 2009, the Department of Public Service has solicited independent contractors to assist in said activities during episodes of heavy snowfall; and
WHEREAS, again there exists a need to engage and deploy independent contractors for the provision of snow removal and de-icing to supplement City crews in the aftermath of major snow events; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code to allow the Department of Public to engage Rocky Fork Company to assist in snow and ice removal operations this winter; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Director of Public Service, or a designee, to enter into a service contract with Rocky Fork Company for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance also authorizes the encumbrance and expenditure of up to $100,000.00 within the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund to compensate the aforementioned contractor for its services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this legislation to ensure Public Service has the assistance it needs to make City roadways passable and safe in a timely and efficient manner in the aftermath of major snowfalls, thereby preserving 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 Public Service is hereby authorized to enter into a service contract with Rocky Fork Company for the provision of snow removal and de-icing services this winter.
SECTION 2. That this Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the competitive bidding requirements of City Code Chapter 329 in order to facilitate the mobilization and deployment of an independent contractor for the provision of snow removal and de-icing services to supplement City crews in the aftermath of major snow events this winter.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of up to $100,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2265 (Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund), Dept-Div 59-11 (Division of Infrastructure Management), in Object Class 03 (Services), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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.