Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Department of the Inspector General (the Department) began operation in 2022. Pursuant to Chapter 235.05 of the Columbus City Codes, the Department’s duties include, but are not limited to, receiving all complaints of misconduct and/or excessive use of force by sworn personnel in the Columbus Division of Police filed by citizens or initiated by the Civilian Police Review Board for review in order to determine and forward to the appropriate investigatory entity. To execute on this duty, it is essential that the public be aware of the Department’s existence, utility, and overall function and that the Department implement a communication plan that provides for appropriate messaging and public engagement. The Department will begin accepting complaints on July 11, 2022.
The Department requires the services of a professional marketing or public relations firm to assist with design and development of appropriate website content, media material, flyers, and brochures as well as identification of appropriate media outlets and message development.
The Saunders Company, LLC’s Contract Compliance Number with the City of Columbus is CC008789 and has an expiration date of August 24, 2022. The Saunders Company, LLC is also a certified Minority Business Enterprise with the City of Columbus. Its certification number is MBE008789 and has an expiration date of September 30, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of up to $24,500.00 from the General Fund to fund marketing/public relations professional services for the Department of the Inspector General.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested to allow the Department of the Inspector General to initiate and complete planning of its marketing and public relations initiatives prior to beginning to take complaints in July.
Title
To authorize the Inspector General to enter into a contract with The Saunders Company, LLC, for the purpose of providing professional marketing and public relations services to the Department of the Inspector General; to authorize the expenditure of $24,500.00 from the general fund; to waive competitive bidding; and to declare an emergency. ($24,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of the Inspector General is a new department initiating activities in 2022; and
WHEREAS, the Department is required to receive all complaints of misconduct or excessive use of force by sworn personnel within the Columbus Division of Police filed by citizens or initiated by the Civilian Police Review Board; and
WHEREAS, the Department will begin accepting and investigating complaints in July 2022; and
WHEREAS, the Department does not have internal marketing or public relations personnel such that contracting for the requisite services is required; and
WHEREAS, marketing and public relations efforts must be substantially completed in June and July 2022; and
WHEREAS, it was manifestly impractical to bid due to the short duration of time available prior to the Department’s planned date to begin; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of the Inspector General in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Inspector General to execute a contract in the amount of $24,500.00, for the preservation of 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 Inspector General is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with The Saunders Company, LLC, in the amount of $24,500.00;
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $24,500.00 is hereby authorized in Fund 1000, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 as necessary.
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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.