Explanation
BACKGROUND: The City Attorney, on behalf of the Director of the Department of Human Resources seeks the authority to utilize the services of the law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP for legal services. Baker & Hostetler LLP has been selected to provide assistance because of its experience representing the City of Columbus in previous negotiations with all bargaining units.
This legislation authorizes the City Attorney, on behalf of the Director of the Department of Human Resources, to enter into contract with Baker & Hostetler LLP and further authorizes the expenditure of $50,000.00 to compensate the contractor for services rendered in conjunction with legal services. Ordinance 0440-2024 authorizes the Director of the Department of Human Resources to engage Baker & Hostetler LLP to provide professional consulting services in connection to collective bargaining negotiations and related activities.
The competitive bid process would not be conducive to ongoing and anticipated legal services, 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 as it would not be in the City’s best interests to have contract requirements awarded through other procurement processes specified in Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes. The law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP continues to bring a wealth of institutional knowledge and experience in ongoing legal services with the City of Columbus.
The City Attorney has determined it appropriate and does approve of the use of Baker & Hostetler LLP for the purposes described in this ordinance.
Fiscal Impact: Funds totaling $50,000.00 are budgeted specifically for this contract in the Department of Human Resources 2024 employee benefits fund budget; the availability of funds is contingent on the passage of the 2024 Other Funds budget ordinance 3012-2023.
Baker & Hostetler LLP...
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