Explanation
BACKGROUND: The City of Columbus was awarded $23,200,773.00 of Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2) grant funds under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-005) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds will provide for the acquisition, rehabilitation, redevelopment or demolition of foreclosed, abandoned and vacant properties in order to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the decline of housing values.
This legislation will implement the demolition portion of the NSP2 program by authorizing the Development Director to enter into contracts with Watson General Contracting, LLC and Ransom Company to provide asbestos remediation and demolition services on blighted vacant structures. Watson General and Ransom Company were selected from a poll of six applicants that responded to the Invitation to Bid (2010 SA-003774). The two companies were selected based on a number of factors, including: price; past performance as reflected by evaluations of previous clients; ability to perform the required services as indicated by technical training, education and experience; and ability to perform the required services as indicated by workload and the availability of necessary equipment, personnel and facilities.
Watson General Contracting, LLC, Contract Compliance #31-1429409, expires May 7, 2011.
Ransom Company, Contract Compliance #269401266, expires February 26, 2012.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency action is requested in order to avoid delays in removing blighted vacant structures in City neighborhoods.
FISCAL IMPACT: This legislation authorizes the expenditure of General Government Grant funds within the Department of Development. The Department's 2011 NSP2 budget includes funds for the demolition of properties as well as ancillary tasks such as asbestos remediation.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contracts with Watson General Contracting, LLC and the Ransom Company for the provision of asbestos remediation and demolition services on vacant structures within the municipal boundaries of the City of Columbus; to authorize the expenditure of $1,000,000.00 from the General Government Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has been awarded $23,200,773.00 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the implementation of NSP2 to address the current vacant property crisis; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with Watson General Contracting, LLC and Ransom Company to provide asbestos remediation and demolition services for the Land Redevelopment Office; and
WHEREAS, these contractors were selected from a pool of six companies that responded to the Invitation to Bid (2010 SA-003229); and
WHEREAS, factors, including: price; past performance as reflected by evaluations of previous clients; ability to perform the required services as indicated by technical training, education and experience; and ability to perform the required services as indicated by workload and the availability of necessary equipment, personnel and facilities; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said contracts in order to remove vacant structures that create a "blight" in the neighborhood, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into contracts with Watson General Contracting, LLC and Ransom Company for demolition and asbestos abatement services.
Section 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, the Department of Development, General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, Grant 451036, Division No. 44-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3292, OCA Code 441058 for the aforesaid purpose is hereby authorized
Section 3. 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 passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.