Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $60,000 from the Municipal Court Judges Computer Fund for purchase of digital recording systems. These systems will replace the existing recording units in our magistrate court rooms that are obsolete, unreliable, and in two courtrooms, not working at all. The existing recording units which are a Sony dual deck system have been in place since at least 1987 and can no longer be repaired. The only substitute procedure, using court reporters, is too costly. Ohio law requires that proceedings before a magistrate be recorded. See Rule 53(D)(7) of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 19(D(7) of the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure and Rule 14 of the Ohio Traffic Rules. The systems to be purchased are identical to the two units previously purchased February 1, 2007 and which are being used successfully.
Joloha Enterprises contract compliance number is 341751616 (expires on 12/18/2008).
FISCAL IMPACT: The amount of this expenditure is budgeted and available within the Franklin County Municipal Court, computer fund for 2007.
EMERGENCY: This legislation is considered an emergency measure to ensure the continued reliability of the court's recording systems.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to establish a purchase order with Joloha Enterprises for the purchase of digital recording systems for the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges; and to authorize the expenditure of $60,000 from the computer fund; and to waive competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329, Columbus City Codes, and to declare an emergency. ($60,000)
Body
WHEREAS, the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court has an immediate need to replace digital recording systems for courtrooms; and
WHEREAS, the current digital recording systems in our court rooms have been in place since at least 1987 and can no longer be repaired so are obsolete, unreliable, and in two courtrooms, not working at all; and
WHEREAS, the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court recommends the waiver of the competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329, Columbus City Codes; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court in that it is immediately necessary to issue a purchase order for digital recording systems with Joloha Enterprises for the preservation of 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 Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to issue a purchase order with Joloha Enterprises for the purchase of digital recording systems.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $60,000 or as much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges, department number 2501, computer fund, fund number 227, subfund 001 as follows: $60,000 from oca 250340, object level 1 - 03, object level 3 - 3336.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated, the Columbus City Council finds it is in the best interest of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges to waive all provisions of the Columbus City Codes related to competitive bidding
SECTION 4. 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.