Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power and Water, and Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power own and operate electric distribution systems throughout the City of Columbus and through a joint use agreement have attached their facilities to poles owned by the other party.
Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power must replace certain poles to comply with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) requirements. In cases where the City's electrical facilities are attached to the poles that must be replaced, those facilities must be moved from the old poles to the new poles. The Division of Power and Water does not have enough available power crews to accomplish removing the City's facilities from these poles in time to meet the demand. In order to expedite the process, Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power will handle the transfer of the City facilities and will bill the City for the costs incurred. Since Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power will handle the removal of the City's facilities as well as facilities owned by others at the same time, it has been determined that this would be the fastest and most cost effective method. The 2008 cost is estimated at $70,000. The total number of poles requiring relocation of attachments is not known and there may be a need to present legislation during 2008 to increase funding for the project.
Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power is the source 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 is being waived. Their contract compliance number 314154203, expiration 11/26/09.
FISCAL IMPACT: This expenditure will be absorbed in the current Power and Water (Power) operating budget due to other costs being less than anticipated in Object Level One 03.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement to reimburse Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power for the cost to transfer the City of Columbus electrical facilities from existing poles to replacement poles ; to waive the provisions of the Columbus City Code relating to competitive bidding and to authorize the expenditure of $70,000.00 from the Electricity Operating Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($70,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power and Water, and Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power own and operate electric distribution systems throughout the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, through a joint use agreement, the City and Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power have attached their facilities to poles owned by the other party; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary for Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power to replace some of their poles to meet the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's (PUCO) requirements; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power to transfer City's facilities attached to said poles to the replacement poles; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power Company, as owner and operator of said poles, is the provider for the required services and therefore the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code Section 329 are being waived; and
WHEREAS, the 2008 cost is estimates at $70,000.00. The total number of poles requiring relocation of attachments is not known and there may be a need to present legislation during 2008 to increase funding for this project, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power and Water, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into an agreement with Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power to reimburse for costs incurred in transferring the City's facilities to replacement poles for the immediate 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 Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement to reimburse Columbus Southern Power dba American Electric Power Company, for costs incurred in transferring City owned facilities attached to poles owned by Columbus Southern Power dba American Electricity Power Company to replacement poles as may be necessary to comply with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's requirements, in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the provisions of Columbus City Codes, 1959, Section 329.06, Competitive Bidding, are hereby waived for said purchase.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $70,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Electricity Operating Fund 550, Division No. 60-07, OCA 600783, Object Level Three 3336.
SECTION 4. That this Council finds it in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the provisions of Columbus City Code Section 329 as it relates to competitive bidding.
SECTION 5. 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.