Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Limbs and Leaves Landscaping Inc. for arborist services. Reports from a certified arborist are needed occasionally by code enforcement officers to definitively determine the condition of trees that may be dead or dying. These reports will be used as professional opinions in the issuance of violation notices and could be used in Environmental Court cases.
Emergency action is requested to allow Limbs and Leaves Landscaping to provide professional reports as to the condition of dead and dying trees on private property for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare of the Citizens of Columbus.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding for this contract ($30,000) is fully budgeted within the 2016 General Fund operating budget
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Limbs and Leaves Landscaping, Inc. for the purpose of providing professional reports as to the condition of dead and dying trees on private property in the City of Columbus; to authorize a transfer within and an expenditure of up to $30,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($30,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into contract with Limbs and Leaves Landscaping, Inc. for arborist services; and
WHEREAS, this contract will allow the Division of Code Enforcement to obtain a professional opinion from a certified arborist as to the health and vigor of trees on private property; and
WHEREAS, Limbs and Leaves Landscaping, Inc. will help the Division of Code Enforcement to determine whether trees and or limbs on private property are a threat to safety and need to be removed; and
WHEREAS, this contract will enable the Division of Code Enforcement to have expert testimony in Environmental Court as to the condition of trees that are the subject of violation notices; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Development exercised due diligence by asking for a Request for Proposal in compliance with Columbus City Code Chapter 329; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Code Enforcement Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Limbs and Leaves Landscaping, Inc. to allow this service to begin as soon as possible, thereby preserving the health and welfare of the public; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Development Department is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Limbs and Leaves Landscaping Inc. (CC # 001381 exp 10/26/18) in the amount of $30,000 for services for the Code Enforcement Division.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $30,000 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 General Fund operating per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $30,000 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 General Fund in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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. 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 the passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.