Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Kenmore Construction Company, Inc., for the Dublin Road Water Plant (DRWP) Filter Media Replacement, Tunnel Repair, and Lubricant Storage Building project, CIP 691100-100002, in an amount up to $7,859,104.00; and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for construction administration and inspection services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $7,861,104.00.
Work, in general, consists of: removal and replacement of all granular activated carbon filter media in the eighteen (18) gravity filters at DRWP, demolition of the top slab of the existing Utility Tunnel and installation of a new cast-in-place top slab, demolition of the existing wooden Lubricant Storage Building and installation of a Factory Assembled Metal Building, and other such work as may be necessary to complete the Contract in accordance with the plans and specifications set forth in the Bid Documents.
The Columbus Community is 99-Citywide.
TIMELINE: All work shall be substantially complete within 275 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed, with the Final Completion to occur within 335 calendar days. The City anticipates issuing a Notice to Proceed in the 1st quarter of 2026.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT:
The bid amount and proposed award amount is $7,859,104.00, including a 15% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $7,859,104.00
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
DPS Prevailing Wage Administration $ 2,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $7,861,104.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The existing GAC filtration media is reaching the end of its intended service life of 10-15 years and is showing signs of degradation. Filtration through the GAC is an essential step in the water treatment process. The ceiling of the pipe chase in the utility tunnel, parallel to the coagulation water flume, has cracks that have formed and show signs of separation’s along with pieces of concrete that have fallen, due to age and chemical delivery traffic over the top of the tunnel. Continued deterioration could cause failure to the pipe chase and flume roofs, and/or cause injuries to workers in the utility tunnel due to falling debris as well as disruption to the water plant. The existing lubricant storage building is a wooden structure that has various issues related to age and deterioration and does not have sufficient space for handling and storage of various bulk oil and lubricant containers. The new building will provide more space that will allow for better handling and storage of these materials used throughout the plant. This project collectively addresses separate elements of the DRWP that are vital to the treatment and supply of safe drinking water to Columbus and the Central Ohio area. Safe, compliant water quality and quantity are necessary for community economic growth.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from October 15, 2025, through November 12, 2025. Five bids were received:
Name Bid Amount
Kenmore Construction Company, Inc. $7,859,104.00
Walsh Construction Company II, LLC $8,270,660.00
Kokosing Industrial, Inc. $8,953,760.00
Smoot Construction Company $9,174,233.80
The Righter Co., Inc. $10,744,186.00
The lowest bid was deemed responsive. Kenmore Construction Company, Incorporated’s certification was in good standing at the time of the bid award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Kenmore Construction Company, Incorporated’s contract compliance number is CC-006456 and expires 11/4/2026.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Kenmore Construction Company, Inc.
As part of their proposal, Kenmore Construction Company, Inc. has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State
Howard Painting, Inc. Defiance, OH
Jadco Construction Services, Inc. North Royalton, OH
Metropolitan Environmental Services, Inc. Hilliard, OH
Strawser Paving Company Columbus, OH
The certifications of Metropolitan Environmental Services, Inc. and Strawser Paving Company were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded. Howard Painting, Inc. and Jadco Construction Services, Inc. certifications are expired and will need to be updated before the contract is executed.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Kenmore Construction Company, Inc. has met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the construction contract will be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program. City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of loan funding via Ordinance 0700-2025, passed by Council on 3/31/25. This loan is expected to be approved at the January Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan application.
The Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established to Kenmore Construction Company, Inc. for these contracts. Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to Kenmore Construction Company, Inc. and then submit reimbursement requests based upon these paid invoices to OWDA for OWDA to reimburse Public Utilities.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Funding in the amount of $2,000.00 is appropriated and available within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for this project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Kenmore Construction Company, Inc., for the Dublin Road Water Plant Filter Media Replacement, Tunnel Repair, and Lubricant Storage Building project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $7,859,104.00 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund to pay for the project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund to pay for prevailing wage services. ($7,861,104.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Dublin Road Water Plant (DRWP) Filter Media Replacement, Tunnel Repair, and Lubricant Storage Building project; and
WHEREAS, five bids for the DRWP Filter Media Replacement, Tunnel Repair, and Lubricant Storage Building project were received and opened on November 12, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, most responsive, responsible, and best bid was from Kenmore Construction Company, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0700-2025 authorized the use of loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program to finance Public Utilities projects; and
WHEREAS, a loan application has been submitted to OWDA to finance this project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, the loan is scheduled to be approved by the Ohio Water Development Authority Board at their January Board meeting; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund to provide for payment of prevailing wage services associated with said project; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Kenmore Construction Company, Inc. for the DRWP Filter Media Replacement, Tunnel Repair, and Lubricant Storage Building project; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6014 / 691100-100002 / DRWP Filter Media Replacement, Tunnel Repair, and Lubricant Storage Building (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $7,859,104.00 / $7,859,104.00 To match loan
6006 / 691100-100003 / Dublin Road Water Plant EV Charging / $182,500.00 / $180,500.00 / ($2,000.00)
6006 / 691100-100002 / DRWP Filter Media Replacement, Tunnel Repair, and Lubricant Storage Building / $0.00 / $2,000.00 / $2,000.00
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $7,859,104.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. This ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this project.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Dublin Road Water Plant Filter Media Replacement, Tunnel Repair, and Lubricant Storage Building project with Kenmore Construction Company, Inc., 700 Home Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44310, in an amount up to $ $7,859,104.00; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities; and to obtain the necessary construction administration and inspection services for this project from the Department of Public Services in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $7,861,104.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this contract per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 9. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.