Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with a software services provider to provide a comprehensive database for the Land Redevelopment Office. The contractor, STR, LLC, (contract compliance #84-1703484, expires 5/9/15) developed the system with the Center for Community Progress and various land banks to help local governments and land banks address vacant and abandoned properties. The software will allow the Columbus Land Bank Program to better monitor its growing inventory, track tax foreclosures, merge various datasets into one system, and upgrade how properties are marketed on the City’s website. The system was initially developed to address vacant properties in post- Hurricane Katrina Louisiana and now is developed for and adopted by several land bank programs. The costs will include a one-time initiation fee and an ongoing subscription, based on the number of users. The agreement for this service will be established in accordance with Section 329.07 (e) of the Columbus City Code. The Land Bank Program currently operates a database that has been in existence since the mid-1990s.
Emergency Action is requested in order to implement the new database system before an anticipated increase in property holdings due to the Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiative.
Fiscal Impact: Funds are available in the 2013 Capital Improvement Budget in Fund 782, Housing Preservation Fund and in the Land Management Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with STR, LLC or its subsidiary, STR Grants, LLC, to provide a database system for the Land Redevelopment Office in accordance with Sole Source Procurement provisions of the Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $55,000.00 from the Housing Preservation Fund; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $25,000.00 from the Land Management Fund; and to declare a...
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