Explanation
The Director of Human Resources seeks the authority to utilize the services of Baker & Hostetler LLP for collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. The law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP has been solicited to provide assistance because of its experience representing the City of Columbus in previous negotiations with all bargaining units.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Human Resources to enter into contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP and will further authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 to compensate the contractor for services rendered in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. The competitive bid process would exacerbate an already protracted process and would not be conducive to bringing the negotiations to closure in an expeditious fashion. Therefore, competitive bidding requirements are being waived.
Fiscal Impact: These funds are budgeted within the Department of Human Resources 2014 budget.
Baker & Hostetler LLP's contract compliance number is 340082025.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into contract with the law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP for the purpose of providing assistance with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities; to authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Codes, 1959; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus requires the professional services provided by Baker Hostetler LLP; and
WHEREAS, the law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP has provided ongoing assistance to the City of Columbus in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to finalize collective bargaining negotiations as expeditiously as possible, therefore requiring the waiver of the competitive bidding provisions set forth in the Columbus City Codes; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP in order to finalize collective bargaining negotiations as soon as possible, thereby preserving 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 Human Resources is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Baker & Hostetler LLPfor the purpose of providing ongoing assistance to the City of Columbus in collective bargaining negotiations and related activities.
SECTION 2. That the provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes are hereby waived.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $300,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be expended from the Employee Benefits Fund as follows:
Fund: Employee Benefits Fund 502 | Department: Human Resources 46 | Division: 46-02 | OBL 3: 3336 | OCA: 461048
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 or vetoes the same.