Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $38,410 from the General Fund to enter into a contract for professional services with Thomason & Associates. The primary objective of the work is to provide additional resources to historic commission applicants through three specific work elements:
· A list of "green" building materials and products that promote sustainability and meet historic preservation guidelines.
· A series of project "cut sheets" outlining appropriate designs for common requests, to guide applicants and facilitate project approvals.
· An updated list of "staff-approvable" items and accompanying documentation.
The consultant selection process was initiated through an RFP, issued in early May 2012. Seven submissions were received by the June 15, 2012 deadline. Submissions were evaluated by a committee comprised of two representatives of architectural review commissions and key staff from the Planning Division. Two firms were selected for follow up interviews and Thomason and Associates was selected. Thomason & Associates Preservation Planners Inc., contract compliance number 62-1137088, expires 6/14/2014.
Thomason and Associates will be assisted in the effort by Columbus based Hardlines Design Company. The consultant team will work with representatives of the Historic Resources Commission and the City's four area specific architectural review commissions (Brewery District, German Village, Italian Village and Victorian Village). Then Planning Division's Historic Preservation Office will provide project oversight. The City's architectural commissions have expressed significant interest in this project. Accordingly, this legislation is submitted as emergency in order to initiate the work as soon as possible.
Fiscal Impact: This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $38,410 from the General Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into a contract with Thomason & Associates Preservation Planners for the purposes of undertaking Historic Preservation Guidelines Consultant Services; to authorize the expenditure of $38,410.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($38,410.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Columbus Register of Historic Properties includes 18 districts and sixty-two individual listings, comprising over 7,000 tax parcels; and
WHEREAS, properties and districts listed on the Columbus Register are regulated by the Historic Resources Commission and four area specific commissions (Brewery District, German Village, Italian Village, and Victorian Village); and
WHEREAS, these commissions promote historic preservation through the application of design guidelines and best practices; and
WHEREAS, funds have been identified to provide additional resources for use by architectural review commission applicants; and
WHEREAS, a consultant selection process was through a RFP, issued in early May 2012 and concluding on June 15, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Thomason and Associates was selected from among seven responding firms by a committee comprised of two representatives of architectural review commissions and key staff from the Planning Division; and
WHEREAS, the project budget of $38,410.00 has been established; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department Of Development, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract in order to provide the consultant services in an expedited fashion, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Development be and is authorized to enter into a consultant services contract with Thomason & Associates Preservation Planners (Nashville, Tennessee) (contract compliance number 62-1137088, expires 6/14/2014) for the purposes of providing Historic Preservation Guidelines Consultant Services.
Section 2. That this contract is awarded pursuant to Section 329.11 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, as amended.
Section 3. That the expenditure of $38,410.00 be and is hereby authorized from the Development Department, Planning Division, Division No. 44-06, General Fund, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA Code 440925.
Section 4. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part thereof, this ordinance is 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.