Columbus, Georgia

Columbus Consolidated Government

Referrals From Mayor and Council-04/05/2005







Subject Emergency Clean-up/Removal of Debris



Description Have the staff to provide information as to whether or not we have

ever had to call in additional help to assist us in the past with the clean-up

and removal of debris. (Request of Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers)



Received From



Assigned To Rufus Riggs



Please enter a date mm/dd/yy before any comments are added.

Response We hired additional trucks to assist in the removal of debris after

Hurricane Opal. The real need for this contract is to provide the city with a

contractor who can respond should the need arise. If we have a disaster and

need assistance to clean up debris, we would have to go through the procurement

process to contract with a company for assistance. FEMA would not reimburse

the city if we do not go through a non-discriminatory contracting process to

hire a contractor. At the time of a disaster, it is not the time to attempt to

start developing specification and requesting bids to get a contract. This

process could take weeks and the price for service can be expected to be

competitive. It is advisable to have a contract in hand for debris removal

should the need ever arise. Every community that has gone through a natural

disaster advises to have a contract in place when the need is not there. I

believe I would be negligent if I am aware of this need and failed to attempt

to get a contract now that will allow us to respond rapidly in case we had a

disaster. We would not exercise this option unless a disaster was declared.