Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract through the City’s Request For Proposal process with Coldwater Consulting, LLC., for the Twin Lakes Dredging and Bliss Run Improvements Project, CIP #611038-100003, in an amount up to $617,392.95.
The Twin Lakes Dredging and Bliss Run Improvements Project will model and design the Bliss Run Channel. This contract will provide engineering design services in the Berwick/Eastmoor neighborhood for stormwater management, pond dredging, and hydraulic modeling. Additionally, it will evaluate and incorporate trash and debris collection infrastructure recommendations into the final channel design.
Planning Area is “50” East Columbus.
Timeline & Future Modification(s): Project for design will take 18 months to complete. Anticipated construction and CA/CI will start second quarter of 2027. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, construction demand might later compel modification of this contract if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Estimated Cost of Project:
Original Contract (current) $617,392.95
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $617,392.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The project delivers significant economic, social, and environmental advantages through targeted infrastructural upgrades. Economically, the project mitigates local flood risks to safeguard private property and public infrastructure, while pond dredging and integrated trash collection systems reduce long-term municipal maintenance and emergency repair costs. Community outreach remains a cornerstone of the development process; public information meetings and surveys ensure that feedback from Berwick/Eastmoor residents directly shapes the aesthetic and functional design of the visible debris collection systems, thereby establishing long-term project alignment.
Environmentally, the project provides vital ecological and hydrologic restoration. Advanced hydraulic modeling of Bliss Run ensures the channel safely manages peak storm events to prevent severe bank erosion, while sediment removal via dredging restores aquatic capacity. Furthermore, the newly integrated trash and debris collection infrastructure intercepts urban pollutants early, significantly improving downstream water quality and revitalizing the local riparian habitat.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites and opened January 23, 2026. One proposal was received; Coldwater Consulting LLC was deemed responsive and responsible.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Coldwater Consulting LLC.’s contract compliance number is CC-003198 and expires 12/24/2026.
As part of their proposal, Coldwater Consulting LLC’s has proposed the following subcontractor to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
AECOM Technical Services, Inc Columbus, OH MAJ
Korda/Nemeth Engineering, Inc Columbus, OH MAJ
S&ME Dublin, OH MAJ
DHDC Engineering Consulting Columbus, OH MBE
The certifications of the above listed companies were in good standing at the time the contract was awarded.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available in the Storm PayGo Carryover Fund, Fund 6216. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds will need to be appropriated in Fund 6216. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Storm PayGo Carryover Fund, Fund 6216, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional services contract with Coldwater Consulting, LLC., for the Twin Lakes Dredging and Bliss Run Improvements Project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation of funds; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Storm PayGo Carryover Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $617,392.95 from the Storm PayGo Carryover Fund. ($617,392.95)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Division of Water Reclamation’s (DOWR) project Twin Lakes Dredging and Bliss Run Improvements; and
WHEREAS, one proposals for the DOWR Twin Lakes Dredging and Bliss Run Improvements were received and opened on January 23,2026; and
WHEREAS, Coldwater Consulting LLC was determined to have an acceptable proposal by the evaluation committee; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract with Coldwater Consulting LLC., for the Twin Lakes Dredging and Bliss Run Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Storm PayGo Fund, Fund 6216, to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds within the Storm PayGo Fund, Fund 6216; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary in the daily operations of the Department of Public Utilities to expend funds to pay for this project; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvements 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
6216 / 621699-100000 / Unallocated Balance Fund 6216 (Storm PayGo Carryover) / $709,585.00 / $92,192.00 / ($617,393.00)
6216 / 611038-100003 / Twin Lakes Dredging and Bliss Run Improvements (Storm PayGo Carryover) / $0.00 / $617,393.00 / $617,393.00
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources, and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, the sum of $617,392.95 is appropriated in the Storm PayGo Fund, Fund 6216, per the account codes in the funding attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $617,392.95, or so much thereof as needed, is authorized between projects within the Storm PayGo Fund, Fund 6216, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a professional services contract for the Twin Lakes Dredging and Bliss Run Improvements Project, CIP #611038-100003, in an amount up to $617,392.95 with Coldwater Consulting LLC., 995 S. High Street,
Columbus, OH 43206, in an amount up to $617,392.95, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $617,392.95, 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 the City Auditor is authorized and directed to transfer any unencumbered balance in the Public Project’s account to the unallocated balance within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the director of the department administering the Public Project that the Public Project is complete and the monies are no longer required for the Public Project, except that no transfer can be made from a project account by monies from more than one source.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is authorized and directed to establish any proper and appropriate project accounting numbers.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is authorized and directed to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 9. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.