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 an emergency. ($80,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Mayor Michael B. Coleman announced the Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiative, a comprehensive plan to address vacant and abandoned properties that includes a goal to demolish hundreds of structures over the next three years; and
WHEREAS, various City offices are implementing the demolition portion of the program, including the targeting of vacant and abandoned properties through tax foreclosure under the Land Reutilization Program; and
WHEREAS, the Land Redevelopment Office anticipates a large increase of vacant parcels held in the Land Reutilization Program; and
WHEREAS, the Land Redevelopment Office desires to adopt an updated system to track, maintain, and dispose of property. A current database, implemented in the mid-1990s can no longer provide all the needs and services demanded by the Land Reutilization Program; and
WHEREAS, the system is a proprietary product of STR, LLC in use by several land banking program and no other entity has developed a software program specifically designed for land banking programs; and
WHEREAS, this purchase will be made in accordance with the sole source provisions of Section 329.07 of the Columbus City Code; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to enter into an agreement with STR Grants, LLC to provide a database system for the Land Reutilization Program and expend up to $80,000 for the initial implementation and one year subscription fee; and
WHEREAS, funds are available in the Housing Preservation and Land Management Funds; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with STR, LLC or its subsidiary, STR Grants, LLC in order to implement the new database system before an anticipated increase in property holdings due to the VAP Initiative, all 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 the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into contract with STR, LLC or its subsidiary, STR Grants, LLC, (contract compliance #84-1703484, expires 5/9/15) to establish a new database system for the Land Reutilization Program and in accordance to Section 329.07 (e) Sole Source Procurement. The contract will include services and equipment necessary to setup the system and a subscription fee.
Section 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $55,000.00 from the Development Department, Division No. 44-10, Fund 782, Housing Preservation Fund, Project No. 782004-100000 Vacant Housing Demolition, Object Level Three 6655, OCA Code 782004 is hereby authorized.
Section 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
Section 4. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administrating said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
Section 5. That from the unallocated monies in the Land Management Fund, Fund No. 206, and from any and all sources unallocated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013, the sum of $25,000.00 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Development, Division 44-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3367, OCA Code 441206.
Section 6. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $25,000.00 from the Land Management Fund, Fund No. 206, Department of Development, Division 44-01, OCA Code 441206, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3367, OCA Code 441206 is hereby authorized.
Section 7. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
Section 8. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby 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.