City of Columbus - File #: 2866-2017

• File #: 2866-2017
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 10/20/2017
• In control: Administration Committee
• On agenda: 11/20/2017
• Final action: 11/22/2017
• Title: To authorize the City Auditor to transfer $100,000.00 within the employee benefits fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer $90,000.00 from the general fund to the employee benefits fund; to authorize the Human Resources Director to modify and increase the existing contract with Baker and Hostetler LLP, for the provision of labor negotiation legal consultation and assistance; to authorize the additional expenditure of $290,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from the employee benefits fund to pay the costs of said contract; and to declare an emergency. ($290,000.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
11/22/2017	1	ACTING CITY CLERK	Attest
11/21/2017	1	MAYOR	Signed
11/20/2017	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
11/20/2017	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass

Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Director of Human Resources seeks the authority to modify and increase the contract currently in effect with the law firm of Baker & Hostetler, LLP for collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. The city entered into the original contract earlier this year (Ord. 0123-2017) to provide labor relations assistance because of their long history and experience representing the City of Columbus in negotiations with bargaining units. The law firm continues to bring a wealth of institutional knowledge and experience in ongoing labor negotiations and related activities with the City of Columbus. This year represents the first time the city is negotiating with all unions in one year. Costs associated with this, together with costs related to fact finding and arbitration, were underestimated in the initial contract. An analysis of year to date and projected expenditures for the balance of the contract year, including fact finding, support this increase. Costs initially legislated, per Ordinance 0123-2017, totaled $358,080.00; this modification provides funding for additional expenses related to legal counsel for labor negotiations and related activities. This legislation serves to increase the maximum obligation liability by $290,000.00, bringing the total contract obligation to $648,080.00.
This legislation authorizes the Human Resources Department Director to modify and increase the current contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP by $290,000 and further authorizes the expenditure of the additional $290,000.00 to compensate for legal services rendered in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities.
FISCAL IMPACT: Sufficient funds are budgeted in the Department of Human Resources' 2017 employee benefits fund budget for this contract modification and increase, once transfers identified in this ordinance are made. First, a transfer of $100,000.00 within the Human Resources Department Employee B...