Explanation
BACKGROUND This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to make a payment to The Ohio State University for services rendered and to declare an emergency.
The GreenSpot program assessment contract, between The Department of Public Utilities and The Ohio State University was authorized by ordinance 0500-2025 on March 24th, 2025. The contract term date was listed as March 24th, 2025 to May 31st, 2026 and the total contract amount is listed at $100,000.00. In the original ordinance, it was mentioned that a City employee provided The Ohio State University access to the GreenSpot files as part of the assessment January 1st, 2025.
Due to the file analysis work starting prior to contract execution, this ordinance requests that the contract term be updated to January 1st, 2025 to May 31st, 2026 for the GreenSpot Program Assessment contract, so that a payment may be made for the work completed between January 1st, 2025 and March 23rd, 2025. There is no need for additional funds to be appropriated at this time, as the work performed during January 1st, 2025 to March 23rd, 2025 were included in the original contract scope of work and cost estimates under ACPO011644.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $11,859.88 is available and appropriated for the payment of this expenditure in the Department of Public Utilities Operating funds as noted in the attached “Then and Now Certificate” as approved by the City Auditor.
Principal Party:
The Ohio State University
The Environmental Social Sustainability Lab (ESSL)
1960 Kenny Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210
Jeremy Brooks, (614) 292-9787
Contract Compliance Number: 006163
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: March 29, 2025
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to authorize payment to The Ohio State University per invoice approved by the Director of the Department of Public Utilities in the amount of $11,859.88 from the Department of Public Utilities Operating Funds; and to declare an emergency. ($11,859.88)
Body
WHEREAS, The Ohio State University provided services to the City of Columbus, and,
WHEREAS, after these 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 operations of the Department of Public Utilities, 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) all for the preservation of the public peace, property, health, safety and welfare; 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 The Ohio State University per invoice approved by the Director of Public Utilities in an amount of $11,859.88 on ACPO011644.
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 approved by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.