Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to execute a reimbursement agreement in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 with the Columbus Partnership relative to Smart Columbus.
In 2016, the City of Columbus bested six other finalists to be named the winner of the Smart City Challenge, a nationwide competition administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, which seeks to “create a fully integrated, first-of-its kind city that uses data, technology and creativity to shape how people and goods move in the future.” The receipt of federal and private grants totaling $50 million will support the implementation of the City’s proposal to demonstrate how advanced data and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies and applications can be used to reduce congestion, keep travelers safe, protect the environment, respond to climate change, connect underserved communities, and support economic vitality.
Ordinance 1212-2017 authorized the Director of Public Service to execute a sub-recipient agreement with the Columbus Partnership relative to the implementation of the Smart Columbus Electrification Plan, the goal of which is to lay a practical path to replacing carbon-based fuel consumption through critical system improvements that increase safety, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance mobility. The Columbus Partnership will support that campaign by leading various initiatives aimed at encouraging electric vehicle adoption by individuals, public entities, and private employers, and increasing charging infrastructure.
This legislation authorizes a waiver of the formal competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code so as to enable the Columbus Partnership, to execute professional services contracts with CityFi and Deloitte for the provision of consulting services critical to advancing and sustaining the momentum and work inspired by the Smart City Challenge. This legislation also authorizes the Department of Public Service to reimburse the Columbus Partnership for the costs of those services.
2. BID WAIVER
A bid waiver is requested to allow the Columbus Partnership to execute professional services contracts with CityFi and Deloitte for the provision of consulting services related to the implementation of the Smart Columbus Electrification Plan. The use of CityFi and Deloitte in this capacity is outlined in the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation Phase II Grant Agreement; however, this expense is ineligible for grant reimbursement and instead is part of the City's cost share for the project.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $250,000.00 is available for this project expenditure in the General Fund within the Department of Public Service.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide for the timely execution of the aforementioned reimbursement agreement so as to facilitate the provision of requisite services to support and advance Smart Columbus program operations.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into a reimbursement agreement with the Columbus Partnership relative to Smart Columbus; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in 2016 the City of Columbus pursued and won a grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation with the goal of laying a practical path to replacing carbon-based fuel consumption through critical system improvements that increase safety, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance mobility; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Partnership will support that campaign by leading various initiatives aimed at encouraging and supporting electric vehicle adoption by individuals, public entities, and private employers and increasing charging infrastructure locally; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to not require the Columbus Partnership to follow the City's competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 to enable the Columbus Partnership to enter into professional service contracts with CityFi and Deloitte for the provision of consulting services critical to advancing and sustaining the momentum and work inspired by the Smart City Challenge , therefore, a waiver of competitive bidding is being requested; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to reimburse the Columbus Partnership for costs incurred pursuant to the aforementioned contracts; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to execute a reimbursement agreement with the Columbus Partnership so as to facilitate the provision of services necessary to achieve the objectives outlined in the Smart Columbus Vision, 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 Public Service be and is hereby authorized to execute a reimbursement agreement with the Columbus Partnership, 150 S. Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, relative to Smart Columbus.
SECTION 2. That this Council has determined it is in the best interest of the City that the requirements of Chapter 329 relating to formal competitive bidding be waived to enable the Columbus Partnership to enter into contracts with CityFi and Deloitte for the provision of consulting services critical to advancing and sustaining the momentum and work inspired by the Smart City Challenge.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 General Fund 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. 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 6. 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 7. 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.