Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Board of Health to enter and/or modify, extend and increase the following contracts for continued COVID-19 contact tracing, testing and vaccination services:
Ohio Expositions Commission - Ordinance 2500-2020, approved November 16, 2020, for space rental services, through the period of June 30, 2021, by $274,500.00, in an amount not to exceed $1,158,750.00.
OSU Hospitals - Ordinance 1994-2020, approved September 24, 2020, for COVID-19 testing services, through the period of June 30, 2021. ($0)
OSU College of Public Health - Ordinance 1995-2020, approved September 17, 2020, for COVID-19 contact tracing services, through the period of June 30, 2021. ($0)
NetSteady Communications - Ordinance 2178-2020, approved October 15, 2020, for network services for the COVID-19 space rental site, through the period of June 30, 2021, by $40,897.50, in an amount not to exceed $181,297.50.
Due to the immediate nature of the need for contact tracing and vaccine services, CPH is requesting the waiver of the provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 from the Director of the Division of Finance and Management following procedures set forth under the Mayor’s Executive Order 2020-01 “Declaration of State of Emergency”.
Emergency action is requested due to the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic to begin these contracts immediately.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for these contracts is budgeted within the Health Special Revenue Fund, Fund No. 2250.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to modify, extend and increase existing contracts with Ohio Expositions Commission, OSU Hospitals, OSU College of Public Health, and NetSteady Communications for continued COVID-19 contact tracing, testing and vaccination services; to authorize the expenditure of $315,397.50 from the Health Special Revenue Fund for said contracts; to waive competitive bidding requirements of City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($315,397.50)
Body
WHEREAS, a need exists for continued COVID-19 contact tracing, testing and vaccination services; and,
WHEREAS, expenditures from Health Special Revenue Fund to provide continued contact tracing, testing and vaccination services is necessary to address increased needs caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board to modify the contracts for contact tracing, testing and vaccination services for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to modify, extend and increase the contracts with Ohio Expositions Commission, OSU Hospitals, OSU College of Public Health and NetSteady Communications for contact tracing, testing and vaccination services for the COVID-19 pandemic response.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contracts, the expenditure of $315,397.50 is hereby authorized from the Health Special Revenue, Fund No. 2250, Division No. 5001, Object Class 03, according to the ordinance attachment.
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 necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that this contract is properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the City’s financial reports.
SECTION 5. That this Council finds it in the City’s best interests to waive competitive bidding requirements of City Code.
SECTION 6. 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.