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CONSIDERATION OF RATIFICATION OF A DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY FOR EXCAVATION SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,844 PERFORMED BY HAMMETT EXCAVATION AT THE SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA CITY LANDFILL RELATED TO A MISSING PERSON'S CASE AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION FROM THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE.
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BACKGROUND: On October 26, 2020, the Norman Police Department started a missing person investigation. During the course of the investigation it was discovered that the missing person had died and was unlawfully dumped in a City dumpster and then transported to the SE OKC landfill. A week long recovery effort was planned and completed from November 9th to the 13th. The excavation work was completed on 11/14/2020. The investigation is closed at this time.
DISCUSSION: Section 8-203(a)(2) of the City Code allows the City Manager to approve purchases of or contracts for "emergency supplies, materials, equipment, or contractual services which are necessary to maintain operations". It has been Staff's practice to then bring the emergency items forward for Council ratification. Staff requested and obtained City Manager approval to order the excavation work on an emergency basis.
The City Code, Section 8-204(5) provides an exemption from competitive bidding requirements for "supplies, materials, equipment or contractual services whose purchase is approved by the Council as necessary for the immediate preservation of the peace, health or safety" of the City, and is requested here. Due to environmental restrictions at the landfill site, Republic Services requires using only approved and specially trained excavation contractors. This is due to numerous methane gas pipes running underground and for providing for proper site drainage. Quotes were sought from the three excavation contracting companies. One company's bid was higher and the equipment transport costs were higher. The second company did not submit a bid due to not being able to complete the work in the timeframe we need...
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