Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Muhlenkamp Ag LLC for the Linden Green Line Clearing Project. The contract amount is $39,920.09, with an alternate of $9,960.05 and a contingency of $20,000.00, for a total of $69,880.14. An additional $2,500.00 is being authorized for interdepartmental inspections and fees for a total of $72,380.14 being authorized by this ordinance.
The Linden Green Line project represents an opportunity to create a 58-acre linear park through one of Central Ohio’s most under served areas for parks. The project will serve more than 131,000 nearby residents. The corridor will extend from Maloney Park at 17th Avenue to Cooper Park in the Northland area.
The corridor will include a 10 to 12 foot ADA accessible multi-use path framed by native forests and meadows. It will also include open green space and more than 40 potential access points to neighboring communities. Small scale amenities will include play spaces, gathering areas, and seating at various points throughout the park. Additional amenities will include fitness elements that are located and designed with community input.
Currently, the corridor contains invasive plant species and dense vegetation. The site has been used for illegal dumping and includes areas of encroachment from adjacent properties. Both of these situations create issues that limit access and impede management of the site. These conditions increase the time required for survey work and prevent direct access to assess site design challenges.
This project includes clearing a 30 foot wide corridor along the seven-mile path. All removed vegetation and debris from illegal dumping will be hauled away for proper disposal. The work will create improved access for surveying and remove encroachments. This project is projected to begin in early March of 2026. The projected end date of the project is early June of 2026.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status):
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on January 2, 2026 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on January 27, 2026. Bids were received from the following companies:
Pummel Construction Services: $96,966.00
Muhlenkamp Ag LLC: $39,920.09
Duffey Tree Care: $50,000.00
Enviro-Construction Co.: $107,500.00
Russell Tree Experts Ltd: $55,360.00
After reviewing the bids that were submitted, it was determined that Muhlenkamp Ag LLC was the lowest and most responsive bidder. Muhlenkamp Ag LLC and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to prequalification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
As part of their bid, Muhlenkamp Ag LLC has proposed the following vendors as subcontracts for this project:
Resource International, Inc.
Kabil Associates, Inc.
Principal Parties:
Muhlenkamp Ag LLC
18788 Burris Road
Rockford, Ohio 45882
Nick Muhlenkamp, (419) 733-6811
Contract Compliance Number: 054405
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: January 16, 2028
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to allow tree clearing to occur before March 31, 2026 to comply with Indiana Bat habitat protection requirements.
Benefits to the Public: The project will provide a 58 acre, seven mile long trail and park space for the Linden and Northland communities. These improvements will be accessible to more than 131,000 residents within a 10-minute walking or cycling distance. The clearing work will make the site easier for the department to keep the site clean and safe.
Community Input/Issues: More than 100 letters of support were received from organizations and elected officials. Two public workshops were held on January 13, 2026 and January 14, 2026 to gather input. Public feedback supports invasive removal, debris removal, and active site management.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by expanding equitable access to parks, schools, and natural areas. It will also improve access to jobs and civic destinations.
Fiscal Impact: $72,380.14 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7712 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Muhlenkamp Ag LLC for the Linden Green Line Clearing Project; to authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $72,380.14 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($72,380.14)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Muhlenkamp Ag LLC for the Linden Green Line Clearing Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1790-2025 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $72,380.14 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7712; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Parks and Recreation in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Muhlenkamp Ag LLC for the Linden Green Line Clearing Project to allow tree clearing to occur before March 31, 2026 to comply with Indiana Bat habitat protection requirements, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Muhlenkamp Ag LLC for the Linden Green Line Clearing Project. The contract amount is $39,920.09, with an alternate of $9,960.05 and a contingency of $20,000.00, for a total of $69,880.14. An additional $2,500.00 is being authorized for interdepartmental inspections and fees for a total of $72,380.14 being authorized by this ordinance. This project is projected to begin in early March of 2026. The projected end date of the project is early June of 2026.
SECTION 2. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1790-2025 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects.
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current Revised Authority / Current Remaining Authority / Change / Amended Revised Authority / Amended Remaining Authority
Fund 7702 / P512034-100000 / Linden Green Line (Voted Carryover) / $650,000 / $142,000 / ($142,000) / $508,000 / $0 (to match cash)
Fund 7712 / P512034-100000 / Linden Green Line (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $142,000 / $142,000 / $142,000 (to match cash)
SECTION 6. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $72,380.14, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7712 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is 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.