Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
In 2015, the Columbus Department of Development, Economic Development Division, had the need for a general site-planning contract for public land in downtown or other important employment centers within the city. The intent of these contracts was to provide the Department of Development with continuing contractual access to additional resources that are necessary to perform various development, design, landscape architecture, and mapping products and expertise for the City of Columbus to attract more jobs and support various economic development initiatives.
In May 2015, the Department of Development produced a request for proposal, distributed it to the community, assembled a selection committee of various departments and divisions to review the proposals, and invited the Equal Business Opportunity Commission. This committee evaluated, scored, and ranked each proposal package it received according to the criteria described in the request for proposal. The selection committee, based on the scoring of each submittal, chose two lead firms to whom to award this project: MKSK, LLC and POD LLC.
The contract with POD LLC was never fully executed after completing the selection process in 2015. The Department of Development will execute a new contract with POD for reimbursement for previous and future individual task orders as needed.
2. EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION
Emergency consideration is necessary in order to meet crucial economic development project timelines.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Cash is available in Fund 7735 Northland and Other Acquisitions.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Contract Compliance Number: 001114, Expiration Date: 10/15/2021
Title
To amend the 2019 Capital improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1326-2019; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with POD LLC for general site-planning for public land in downtown or other important employment centers within the City; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within Fund 7735 Northland and Other Acquisitions; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from Fund 7735; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the City desires to increase employment opportunities and encourage the establishment of new jobs in the City in order to improve the overall economic climate of the City and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the need exists for enhanced marketing and planning efforts, which can be met via a general site-planning contract for public land in downtown or other important employment centers within the City; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Development to enter into a contract with POD LLC for general site-planning for public land in downtown or other important employment centers within the City in order to meet crucial economic development project timelines, 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 2019 Capital Improvement Budget, authorized by Ordinance 1326-2019, be and is hereby amended to provide sufficient budget authority for the appropriate project authorized within this ordinance as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
7735 / P782001-100005 / Home Again-Land Bank Property Renovation / $502,544.38 / ($50,000.00) / $452,544.38
7735 / P590415-100017 / Downtown Public Site Planning / $0 / $50,000.00 / $50,000
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $50,000.00, or so much as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7735 (Northland and Other Acquisitions) from Div 4402 (Economic Development), Project P782001-100005 (Home Again-Land Bank Property Renovation), object class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 4402 (Economic Development), Project P590415-100017 (Economic & Community Development-Downtown Public Site Planning) object class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Reimbursement Agreement for services with POD LLC, 100 Northwoods Boulevard, Suite A, Columbus, Ohio 43235, for a 24 month period that begins on or after January 1, 2019, to outline the mutual commitments of the parties relating to Downtown Public Site Planning and the reimbursement for services provided.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7735 (Northland and Other Acquisitions), Dept-Div 4402 (Economic Development), Project P590415-100017 (Economic & Community Development-Downtown Public Site Planning), object class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all modifications associated with 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 for 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 passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.