Explanation
Background: The Director of Human Resources seeks the authority to utilize the services of the law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP for collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. Baker & Hostetler LLP has been solicited to provide assistance because of its experience representing the City of Columbus in previous negotiations with all bargaining units.
This legislation authorizes the Director of Human Resources to enter into contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP and will further authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 to compensate the contractor for services rendered in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. The competitive bid process would not be conducive to ongoing and anticipated negotiations, as this law firm brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and experience in ongoing labor relations issues with the City of Columbus. Therefore, competitive bidding requirements are being waived.
Baker & Hostetler LLP's contract compliance number is 340082025.
Fiscal Impact: Funds totaling $300,000.00 are budgeted specifically for this contract in the Department of Human Resources 2023 employee benefits fund budget; the availability of funds is contingent on the passage of the 2023 Other Funds budget ordinance 2937-2022.
Emergency Action: Emergency action is being requested to allow for continuation of representation of the law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP collective bargaining negotiations and related activities.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into contract with the law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP for the purpose of providing assistance with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities; to authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 from the employee benefits fund; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus requires the professional services provided by Baker & Hostetler LLP; and
WHEREAS, the law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP has provided ongoing assistance to the City of Columbus in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to waive relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code relating to competitive bidding in this situation, due to the law firm’s institutional knowledge and experience in ongoing labor relations issues; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Human Resources in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP in order to allow for continuation of representation and to finalize collective bargaining negotiations as soon as possible, 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 Director of the Department of Human Resources is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP for the purpose of providing ongoing assistance to the City of Columbus in collective bargaining negotiations and related activities.
SECTION 2. That Council finds it is in the City’s best interests to waive the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes regarding competitive bidding, and the same are hereby waived.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $300,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the employee benefits fund 5502 in object class 03 Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 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 or vetoes the same.