ORDINANCE NO. 177047

* Contract with Resolutions Northwest for $618,772 for community mediation services for the

period February 1, 2003 through June 30, 2005 (Ordinance)

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1. The Council finds:

1.  In response to budgetary concerns, the FY2002-2003 budget passed by City Council directed the Office of Neighborhood Involvement to investigate alternative service delivery models for community mediation services. It also directed ONI to issue a Request for Proposals to seek qualified and interested mediation service providers. A Request for Proposals was issued on August 26, 2002 and closed on September 30, 2002.

2.  Based on responses to the Request for Proposals and service cost benchmarking, the Office of Neighborhood Involvement has determined that mediation services can be provided to City of Portland residents more cost effectively by contracting with Resolutions Northwest, a non-profit 501(c)(3) community mediation services provider in Multnomah County.

3.  The City of Portland and the Office of Neighborhood Involvement have a long and successful history of delivering community services through non-profit organizations. It is anticipated this contractual relationship will also be very successful. Nationally, over 86% of mediation centers are operated from a non-profit structure, enabling mediation centers to diversify funding and provide services from a more neutral, community-oriented base.

4.  The City of Portland, through its Office of Neighborhood Involvement, wishes to continue its long-term commitment to peaceful dispute resolution processes, including mediation services to citizens of Portland. Resolutions Northwest is qualified to provide the desired services in the manner and structure required by the City.

5.  Funds for mediation services are included in the FY2002-2003 Office of Neighborhood Involvement budget.

6.  Contracting these services to Resolutions Northwest will save the City approximately $277,000 through June 30, 2005 without compromising the level or quality of services.

NOW THEREFORE, The Council directs:

a.  The Commissioner-in-Charge and City Auditor are authorized to execute on behalf of the City the contract attached as Exhibit A to this ordinance, said contract to be effective from February 1, 2003 through June 30, 2005.

b.  The Commissioner-in-charge and the Auditor are authorized to draw and deliver warrants in accordance with the contract shown in Exhibit A.

c.  Increases to the total compensation payable to the Contractor must be approved by Ordinance of the Council.

d.  With the exception of amendments increasing the total compensation to the Contractor, amendments may be agreed to and executed by the Project Manager or his/her designee.

Section 2.

The Council declares that an emergency exists because a transition team must be convened to ensure successful implementation of the contract; therefore this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 1327-2002

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 177047