Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power and Water, and Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power (AEP) own and operate electricity distribution systems throughout the City of Columbus and through a joint use agreement have attached their facilities to poles owned by the other party.
Ordinance 0944-2008, passed July 7, 2008, authorized the Director of Public Utilities to execute a construction contract with U.S. Utility Contractor Co. for the first phase of a North High Street Circuit Conversion Project for the Division of Power and Water. There are approximately 152 total poles affected by the North High Street Circuit Conversion Project, Phases I and II. In preparation for construction on Phase II of the North High Street Circuit Conversion Project, there are approximately seventy (70) poles, owned by AEP, which must be relocated. AEP is the sole-source provider for this service since they are the owner of the poles in question. Therefore, the provisions of Columbus City Code Section 329, as it relates to competitive bidding, are requested to be waived. AEP's contract compliance number is 31-4154203, expiration 11/26/09 (Majority).
Fiscal Impact: This legislation includes a transfer of funds from the Electricity Reserve Fund to the Voted Street Lighting and Electricity Distribution Improvement Fund as a temporary measure until such time as the proceeds from a bond sale can be made available.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement to reimburse Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power (AEP) for the cost to transfer and/or rearrange electrical and communication facilities attached to poles owned by AEP as may be necessary to complete the North High Street Phase II Circuit Conversion Project; to waive the provisions of the Columbus City Code relating to competitive bidding; to authorize the expenditure of $130,281.17 from the Voted Street Li...
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