Explanation
BACKGROUND: In 1984, the City responded to concerns raised by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding potential exposures to employees at the City’s trash burning power plant. The City began testing employees at the Columbus Department of Health. In particular, the Occupational Safety and Health Clinic provided medical surveillance examinations, pre-placement examinations, immunizations, health and fitness assessments, clearance for respirator wear, assessment of workers’ fitness for duty, consultation, hearing conservation training, and audiometric testing.
In 2006, the Department of Health became Columbus Public Health. The entity’s primary focus is monitoring community health status, identifying and addressing public health threats, enforcing laws that protect the public's health, and providing services to prevent and control disease. In the face of this change, and to provide focused and coordinated occupational safety and health medical services in accordance with the Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP), OSHA, and the state Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC), the City of Columbus shifted the operations of employee occupational safety and health medical services from Columbus Public Health to the Department of Human Resources.
Currently, the Occupational Safety and Health Clinic provides surveillance exams to City employees at risk and appropriate follow up, identifies occupationally related disease or disability, assists in rehabilitation activities, determines fitness and suitability for assigned work, promotes and maintains PERRP/OSHA compliance, promotes health, wellness, and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease/injury, provides assistance in injury care activities and in rehabilitation activities, and provides educational and/or training programs promoting employee wellness and safe work practices.
This ordinance authorizes and directs the Director of Human Resources to enter into contract with Mount Carmel Health Systems / Occupational Health contract for occupational safety and health medical services for the City of Columbus, and to authorize the expenditure and establish a maximum obligation liability of $353,669.00 to be paid from the employee benefits fund in the Human Resources Department. The contract dates are from March 1, 2017 - February 28, 2018. This contract was re-bid for the first time in five years and this ordinance represents the first year of a five year contract. Following the fifth year, the contract allows for three one year extensions if all parties are in agreement. Every year the contract renewal is subject to available appropriation and funding.
Contract compliance number is 31-1439334.
BID INFORMATION: A request for proposal for the Occupational Safety and Health Clinic (RFQ 002703) was opened September 27, 2016. Two responses were received: one from Ohio Health and the other from Mount Carmel Health Systems/ Occupational Health. The responses were evaluated by a committee consisting of personnel from the Department of Public Service and the Department of Human Resources. An evaluation was completed based on defined criteria included in the RFP as well as relevant requirements of the Columbus City Codes, Chapter 329. The committee unanimously recommended the contract be awarded to Mount Carmel Health Systems / Occupational Health.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is provided for this contract in the 2017 Department of Human Resources' employee benefits fund budget. As stated above, this is the first year of a five year contract, which allows for three one year extensions following the fifth year. Every year, contract renewal is subject to available and adequate appropriation and funding. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2017 Other Funds operating budget, Ordinance 2863-2016.
Title
To authorize the Director of Human Resources to contract with Mount Carmel Health Systems / Occupational Health to provide all eligible employees occupational safety and health medical services from March 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018; to authorize the expenditure of $353,669.00 from the employee benefits fund, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to pay the costs of said contract; and to declare an emergency. ($353,669.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to contract with Mount Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness to provide all eligible employees occupational safety and health medical services from March 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018; and
WHEREAS, this contract for services was re-bid in September, 2016, with Mount Carmel Health Systems / Occupational Health winning the bid; and
WHEREAS, the current contract is for a five year period, with three one-year extensions possible, subject to sufficient appropriation; and
WHEREAS, this contract represents the first year of the current contract; and
WHEREAS, Mount Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness has indicated its intention to use MBEs and FBEs and report the dollar amounts quarterly; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $353,669.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to pay contract costs for occupational safety and health medical services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Human Resources Department to contract with Mount Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness for continuity of services, all for the 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 Human Resources is hereby authorized to contract with Mount Carmel Occupational Health and Wellness to provide occupational safety and health medical services and related Education and Wellness Programs to all eligible employees from March 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of up to $353,669.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in the Employee Benefits Fund 5502 in object class 03 Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.