Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to set up a certificate in the amount of $200,000.00 for various expenditures for labor, materials, and equipment in conjunction with park improvements managed by the Recreation and Parks Department. These are unanticipated expenditures that may include, but are not limited to, items such as landscaping, surveys, design, administrative fees, concrete, asphalt, equipment improvements, etc. Contracts will be entered into in compliance with the procurement provisions of the Columbus City Codes Chapter 329.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to ensure that needed improvements are not delayed, keeping the impact on public park access to a minimum and allowing safety issues that arise to be addressed in a timely manner. Existing certificate for these purposes is almost exhausted. It is important to have this funding available to address unanticipated park improvement needs when they arise.
Benefits to the Public: Having this funding in place for unanticipated needs as they arise will benefit the community by helping to ensure parks are safe, accessible, and user friendly.
Community Input Issues: Many issues that this funding helps to address come straight from the community, through 311 and direct contact with the department. The community has expressed the desire for well-kept parks and amenities through public workshops, social media, and direct contact with City staff.
Area(s) Affected: The entire City of Columbus is affected by having the funding in place to act efficiently on issues that arise in our parks.
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by helping to ensure that parks and their amenities remain safe and user friendly.
Fiscal Impact: $200,000.00 is budgeted and available in the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of these various expenditures.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to set up a certificate in the amount of $200,000.00 for various expenditures for labor, materials, and equipment in conjunction with park improvements within the Recreation and Parks Department; to authorize the expenditure of $200,000.00 from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary that the City Auditor set up a certificate in the amount of $200,000.00 for various expenditures in conjunction with park improvements within the Recreation and Parks Department; and
WHEREAS, funding is available for these improvements from unallocated balances within the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to establish this certificate so that needed improvements are not delayed, 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 City Auditor is authorized to set up a certificate in the amount of $200,000.00 for various expenditures in conjunction with various park improvements within the Recreation and Parks Department.
SECTION 2. That the purchase of labor, materials, and equipment is necessary for various park improvements within the Recreation and Parks Department.
SECTION 3. Contracts will be entered into in compliance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
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 the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this legislation.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $200,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 8. That this Council hereby recognizes that this ordinance does not identify specific contractors or vendors for the expenditure purposes authorized herein and hereby delegates sole and final contracting decisions relative to the determination of lowest, best, most responsive and most responsible vendor(s) to the Director of Recreation and Parks and/or the Director of Finance and Management.
SECTION 9. 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.