Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Building and Zoning Services (BZS) to enter into a professional services contract with RAMA Consulting Group, Inc., in an amount of up to $697,261.13 for Zoning Code Update Communications and Engagement Assistance for an initial 24-month period. Because the project is expected to extend beyond two years, the contract will include two optional twelve-month extensions, subject to Council reauthorization and additional funding allocation.
This effort is necessary to act on the findings of an independent analysis which determined that the City’s Zoning Code does not support our community’s shared aspiration to be an equitable, thriving city. An updated Zoning Code is an important tool in proactively managing growth. Collaborative action will be critical in this effort and RAMA will be assisting the City in the Communications and Engagement aspects of the effort, including measures to reach underrepresented constituencies. A companion piece of legislation authorizes the BZS director to enter into contract with Lisa Wise Consulting to assist the technical aspects of the update process.
The Department of Finance, Purchasing Office solicited Requests for Proposals on behalf of the Department of Building and Zoning Services for the Zoning Code Update Communications and Engagement Contract. The project was formally advertised on the Bonfire portal from January 19, 2022 to February 16, 2022. The evaluation committee, including representatives from the Building and Zoning Services and Development departments, assessed the proposal and determined that it was highly responsive. A representative of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion served as an advisor to the process. The Building and Zoning Services Director subsequently authorized contract negotiations between the City and RAMA, which were successful. Emergency action is requested for this legislation in order to expedite this critical project.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
RAMA Consulting Group, Inc.’s contract compliance number is 001370 and expires 9-13-2023.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract is available within Fund 2240, the Development Services Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of Building and Zoning Services to enter into a professional services contract with RAMA Consulting Group, Inc. for the Zoning Code Update Communications and Engagement Assistance; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure of up to $697,261.13 within the Development Services Fund to pay for this contract; and to declare an emergency. ($697,261.13)
Body
WHEREAS, the City undertook an independent analysis of the Zoning Code and process, which determined that the current code does not support our community’s shared aspiration to be an equitable, thriving city; and
WHEREAS, an updated Zoning Code is an important tool in proactively managing growth; and
WHEREAS, collaborative action and equitable engagement will be critical in this effort; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance, Purchasing Office solicited Requests for Proposals on behalf of the Department of Building and Zoning Services for the Zoning Code Update Communications and Engagement contract; and
WHEREAS, RAMA Consulting submitted a responsive proposal as determined by the evaluation committee and the Building and Zoning Services Director subsequently authorized negotiations with the firm; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a contract with RAMA Consulting for the provision of professional consulting services described above in the amount of up to $697,261.13; and
WHEREAS, because the project is expected to extend beyond two years, the contract will include two optional twelve-month extensions beyond the initial 24-month period, subject to Council reauthorization and additional funding allocation; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Building and Zoning Services Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Building and Zoning Services to enter into contract with RAMA Consulting Group, Inc. in order to expedite this critical project, all for the preservation of the public peace, property, health safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Building and Zoning Services be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a professional services contract with RAMA Consulting Group Inc. for Zoning Code Update Communications and Engagement Assistance in an amount up to $697,261.13, for a period of 24 months with two optional twelve month extensions, subject to Council reauthorization and additional funding allocation.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $ 697,261.13 in the Development Services Fund, Fund 2240, Subfund 000000, to the Department of Building and Zoning Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $697,261.13 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Department of Building and Zoning Services, Division No. 43-01, Development Services Fund, Fund No, 2240, in object class 03 Purchased Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.