Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to set up a certificate in the amount of $200,000.00 for various expenditures for labor, material and equipment in conjunction with the existing Linden Park and Community Center Improvements Project. The park and center is currently under construction and will be opening in the Fall of 2020. The new facility will include an elevated walking track; gymnasium, mat room, fitness room, dance studio, demonstration and teaching kitchen, music studio, computer lab, arts and ceramics room, as well as multi-use and partner spaces. This $200,000.00 will be used to purchase furniture, fixtures, and equipment (F, F, & E) for the facility. These expenditures may include, but are not limited to, items such as tables, chairs, televisions, computers, fitness equipment, ceramics equipment and any other items necessary for the operation of the facility. Contracts will be entered into in compliance with the procurement provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so that funding for furniture, fixtures, and equipment be made available for this project as soon as possible. It will also help ensure that all items necessary for the operation of the facility are procured and ready for the opening of the facility.
Benefits to the Public: The Linden Park and Community Center Improvements project, which is also a Center for Opportunity, will address the community development needs of the Linden neighborhood by making significant capital improvements to quality of life and will provide access to social services. The Linden neighborhood has suffered from lack of investment and community development for several decades. This investment will serve not only the community’s immediate needs, but will also serve as a catalyst for future economic and community development.
Community Input Issues: Numerous Community outreach events were hosted by the City to gather input and provide feedback for the design of the improvements.
Area(s) Affected:
North Linden (40)
South Linden (45)
Master Plan Relation:
1.1 System-wide Strategies
1.1.2 Continue to work with neighborhood groups to improve and maintain parks
1.1.3 Remove access and circulation barriers to city parks
1.3 Strategies for Community Parks
1.3.2 Perform an overall assessment of productivity of space and amenities to guide improvements
1.3.3 Expand revenue-producing amenities
1.3.4 Update 1 community park per year
1.3.5 Plan for programming that allows for Community Parks and their respective Community Centers to function as one space
Fiscal Impact: $200,000.00 is budgeted and available from and within the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund to meet the financial obligations of these various expenditures.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to set up a certificate in the amount of $200,000.00 for various expenditures for labor, material, and equipment in conjunction with the existing Linden Park and Community Center Improvements Project; to authorize the expenditure of $200,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary that the City Auditor set up certificates in the amount of $200,000.00 for labor, material and equipment in conjunction with the existing Linden Park and Community Center Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, the funds will be used to purchase furniture, fixtures, and equipment (F, F, & E) for the facility and may include, but are not limited to, items such as tables, chairs, televisions, computers, fitness equipment, ceramics equipment and any other items necessary for the operation of the facility; and
WHEREAS, all contracts will be entered into in compliance with the procurement provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the expenditure of $200,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund for various expenditures in conjunction with the existing Linden Park and Community Center Improvements Project so that needed improvements are not delayed, 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 City Auditor is authorized to set up a certificate in the amount of $200,000.00 for the purchase of labor, materials and equipment in conjunction with the existing Linden Park and Community Center Improvements Project.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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 5. That the expenditure of $200,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7712 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That this Council hereby recognizes that this ordinance does not identify specific contractors or vendors for the expenditure purposes authorized herein and hereby delegates sole and final contracting decisions relative to the determination of lowest, best, most responsive and most responsible vendor(s) to the Director of Recreation and Parks. All contracts will be entered into in compliance with the procurement provisions of the Columbus City Codes Chapter 329.
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.