Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Building and Zoning Services to modify the professional services contract with Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. for continued work on the Zoning Code and Map Update project, known as "Zone In." The initial contract, authorized by Ordinance Number 1041-2022, was entered into in May of 2022 for a 24-month period and included two optional twelve-month extensions subject to Council reauthorization and additional funding allocation. The first extension was authorized by Ordinance Number 0867-2024. The second extension was authorized by Ordinance Number 0924-2025. It is now necessary to modify the contract to add funding so Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. can continue to help guide the City through the next phase of Zone In - Economic and Housing Opportunity.
The term of the contract modification under this ordinance will be from the date of PO confirmation through May 8, 2026 to coincide with the existing contract term, which is within the second contract extension that was authorized by Ordinance Number 0924-2025. The Zone In project has always been expected to extend over multiple years under the expert guidance of Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc., therefore, it would be impractical to put the continuation of this project out for another professional service request for proposal process. The funds needed for this modification are based on the negotiated costs of the professional services for the next phase of Zone In.
The team at Lisa Wise Consulting has been instrumental in assisting the City with the monumental task of comprehensively updating the Zoning Code. Something that has not been done in seventy years! The 2020 Code Assessment Report noted that current City decision making processes and administrative review procedures were multi-layered, scattered and hard to use, and resulted in uncertainty for developers as well as residents. In close cooperation with City staff and outside agencies and the area commissions/civic associations, the Consultant Team will evaluate and recommend changes to the City's zoning review and administrative procedures based on best practices and the latest technological innovations. The objective is to ensure more user-friendly and efficient procedures for permitting and the administration of the Zoning Code are carried out with an understanding of the impacts of proposed changes on City staff. An updated Zoning Code is an important tool in proactively managing growth
The Consultant Team will hold weekly meetings with the City Zone In Project Team and will also work closely with other consultants on community outreach and engagement, such as participating in regular organizational and strategy meetings; preparing information for the project website, public meetings, and direct stakeholder engagement; participating in public meetings; participating in meetings with City leadership; and assessing community feedback/input in the preparation of proposed code updates.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE:
Vendor: Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. (D365 Vendor Acct. - 033454)
Contract compliance number: CC033454
Exp: 03/21/2026
The company is not disbarred according to the excluded party listing system of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved finding for recovery certified search.
State of Ohio Number 5389918
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Given the compressed timeline for passage of this phase in 2026, an emergency ordinance is necessary to modify the contract in order to prevent any gap in services during the months of August and September, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation and expenditure of $1,300,000.00 for this contract modification, which is available in Fund 2240, the Development Services Fund.
Original Contract Amount: $1,849,637.00
Modification #1 Amount: $ 100,000.00
Modification #2 Amount $1,300,000.00
Total Amount: $3,249,637.00
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services to modify the contract with Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. for continued work on the Zoning Code and Map Update project, known as "Zone In"; to authorize an appropriation of $1,300,000.00 in the Development Services Fund; to authorize an expenditure of $1, 300,000.00 from the Development Services Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. has been instrumental in assisting the City with the monumental task of comprehensively updating the Zoning Code; and
WHEREAS, the Consultant Team will hold weekly meetings with the City Zone In Project Team and will also work closely with other consultants on community outreach and engagement, such as participating in regular organizational and strategy meetings; preparing information for the project website, public meetings, and direct stakeholder engagement; participating in public meetings; participating in meetings with City leadership; and assessing community feedback/input in the preparation of proposed code updates; and
WHEREAS, the initial contract, authorized by Ordinance Number 1041-2022, was entered into in May of 2022 for a 24-month period and included two optional twelve-month extensions subject to Council reauthorization and additional funding allocation. The first extension was authorized by Ordinance Number 0867-2024. The second extension was authorized by Ordinance Number 0924-2025; and
WHEREAS, it is now necessary to modify the contract to add funding so Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. can continue to help guide the City through the next phase of Zone In - Economic and Housing Opportunity; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Building and Zoning Services in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to modify the contract with Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. at the earliest time possible so there is no gap in services during the months of August and September, 2025; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services be, and hereby is, authorized to modify the professional services contract with Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. to continue work on the Zoning Code and Map Update project.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $1,300,000.00 in the Development Services Fund, Fund 2240, Subfund 000000, to the Department of Building and Zoning Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $1,300,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the actions authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Development Services fund, fund 2240, subfund 000000, in Object Class 03 - Purchased Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord. 2118-2025 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 4. 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 5. That funds are hereby appropriated and expenditures authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.