Explanation
Background: In February of 2012 Mayor Coleman announced a program to fight vacant and abandoned property that includes a plan to aggressively target and demolish blighted structures. In addition, the City has a responsibility to demolish vacant and abandoned properties declared a nuisance, unsafe, or an emergency to public health and safety.
The Department of Development budgeted $180,000 for the purpose of obtaining demolition and abatement services. A Mayor's emergency expenditure required appropriation of $81,700 for demolition services prior to the approval of this Ordinance. This legislation makes the necessary accounting corrections to identify the $81,700 with the correct project and authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Ransom Company (contract compliance number: 800243291, expiration: 9/22/2016, MBE) to provide demolition and asbestos abatement services under the program. The contract amount is $98,300. The company responded to a Request for Quote (RFQ), SA-005653, and was selected by an evaluation committee as the company with the best quote. A total of ten companies responded.
Fiscal Impact: Funds are available for this purpose through a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Development Taxable Bonds Fund.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to complete the work within the timeframe for which the cost estimates were given and demolish the structures as soon as possible.
Title
To amend the 2014 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer $180,000.00 in cash and appropriation between projects within the Development Taxable Bonds Fund; to authorize the Director of Development to enter into a contract with Ransom Company to provide demolition and asbestos abatement services; to authorize the expenditure of $98,300.00 from the Development Taxable Bonds Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($180,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in 2012, Mayor Michael B. Coleman announced the Vacant and Abandon Properties Initiative, a comprehensive plan to address vacant and abandoned properties, that includes a goal of demolishing hundreds of structures; and
WHEREAS, various City offices are implementing the demolition portion of the program, including the targeting of vacant and abandoned properties through tax foreclosure and seeking authorization to demolish blighted properties from the Environmental Section of the Franklin County Municipal Court; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development desires to provide funding for demolition and asbestos abatement services for a total of up to $180,000; and
WHEREAS, a Mayor's emergency required expenditure of $81,700 prior to approval of this Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to make corrections to the expenditure of $81,700 in order to identify it with the correct project; and
WHEREAS, Ransom Company (contract compliance number: 800243291, expiration: 9/22/2016, MBE), was the company who responded to a Request for Quote (SA-005653) and selected by an Evaluation Committee as the best proposal based on bid pricing, prior experience, resources and qualifications; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract and demolish structures that are an immediate danger to the public, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2014 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 0683-2014 be and is hereby amended to provide sufficient budget authority for the appropriate projects authorized within this ordinance as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
739 / 782004-100000 / Vacant Housing Demolition / $414,339 / ($180,000) / $234,339
739 / 782004-100003 / Code Enforcement Demolition Services / $0 / $180,000/ $180,000
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to transfer cash and appropriation within the Development Taxable Bonds Fund, Fund 739, as follows:
Transfer from:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
739 / 782004-100000 / Vacant Housing Demolition / 06-6616 / 739040 / $180,000
Transfer to:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
739 / 782004-100003 / Code Enforcement Demolition Services / 06-6616 / 730403 / $180,000
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to correct the accounting codes for EA012678 within Fund 739 as follows:
FROM: Project 782004-100000 / OCA 739040
TO: Project 782004-100003 / OCA 730403
SECTION 4. That the Director of Development is authorized to enter into contract with Ransom Company (contract compliance number: 800243291, expiration: 9/22/2016, MBE), to perform demolition and asbestos abatement services.
SECTION 5. That for the purpose stated in Section 4 the sum of up to $98,300.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Development Taxable Bonds Fund, Fund 739, Project 782004-100003 Code Enforcement Demolition Services, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 6616, OCA 730403.
SECTION 6. That this contract is awarded in accordance with Chapter 329.12 of the Columbus City Code.
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 the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 9. 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 administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 10. 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.