City of Columbus - File #: 1871-2003

• File #: 1871-2003
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 7/11/2003
• In control: Finance & Economic Development Committee
• On agenda: 7/28/2003
• Final action: 7/30/2003
• Title: To allow City of Columbus department heads to authorize a City employee or employees, to be designated by the Finance Director, to approve encumbrances and process invoices (electronic, facsimile or hard-copy) for payment of natural gas purchases to FirstEnergy Solutions, on behalf of each department head, to authorize the City Auditor to initiate encumbrances, transfer and increase, if necessary, appropriations within any of the various funds of the City to provide for natural gas supplies, and to authorize the expenditures and payment of electronic invoices as approved by the Finance Director's designee(s), to waive the City Code formal competitive bidding requirements, and to declare an emergency.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
7/30/2003	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
7/29/2003	1	MAYOR	Signed
7/28/2003	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass
7/28/2003	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
7/18/2003	1	Finance - Purchasing Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
7/17/2003	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
7/16/2003	1	CITY AUDITOR	Reviewed and Approved
7/16/2003	1	Finance - Purchasing Drafter	Sent for Approval
7/15/2003	1	EBOCO Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
7/15/2003	1	ODI DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
7/15/2003	1	Finance - Purchasing Drafter	Sent for Approval
7/14/2003	1	FINANCE-PURCHASING APPROVER	Reviewed and Approved

Explanation

Background: This ordinance will enable the City of Columbus to maintain a cost effective supply of natural gas to its various facilities.

The City of Columbus has participated in the State of Ohio contract for natural gas since the late 1990s. The State of Ohio has made significant changes in the new contract to begin July 1, 2003. The State of Ohio and the cooperative contractor, FirstEnergy Solutions (status: MAJ, contract compliance #31-1560186) required a signed Memorandum of Understanding on June 24, 2003 in order for the City to continue to participate in the new cooperative contract for natural gas supply. The full details of the new contract were shared with the City during the last week of June. The City received a final copy of the new contract terms on June 23, 2003. With no other ready bid to act on, and to preserve our supply of natural gas at the best possible pricing, the City decided to participate in the State of Ohio cooperative contract for natural gas supply.

On June 23rd 2003, in accordance with the provisions of Section 329.27, Chapter 329, Title 3, Article 3, of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, as amended, the Mayor declared an emergency existed in the City of Columbus and ordered the Director of Finance to take immediate action to enter into an agreement with the State of Ohio. Pursuant to ordinance 1721-2003, passed July 14, 2003, City Council has been notified that the Finance Director entered into the Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Ohio Department of Administrative Services in order to maintain supplies of natural gas to City facilities.

The most significant change in the new natural gas supply contract is in the accounts payables section. Specific, consolidated, electronic payments are required in a limited time frame in order to participate in the cooperative contract. As a joint solution developed by the City Auditor, City Attorney, City Treasurer, City Finance Director, other City dep...