Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into a professional services contract with Alta Planning + Design, Inc. in the amount of up to $1,250,000.00 for the Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) project.
The intent of this project is to provide the City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, additional resources that are necessary to perform various professional engineering, survey, and technical expertise for the department to implement the Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) project, which includes developing a comprehensive vulnerable road user safety plan that serves as both a supplement to our existing action plan (2023-2028) and informs necessary strategies for our next safety action plan, a pedestrian priority network, and a new 5-year Safe Routes to School travel plan. The project will focus on vulnerable road users defined by their mode of transportation (pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycle riders) as well as demographic subgroups with traffic safety vulnerabilities. The planning process will require an equitable, inclusive, data-informed approach.
Ordinance 2559-2024 authorized the Director of Public Service, on behalf of the City of Columbus, to submit applications to and execute grant agreements with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) relative to the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program, accept and expend awarded grant funds, and issue refunds, if necessary, for the Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) Project.
The Department of Public Service, Office of Support Services, solicited Requests for Proposals for the Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) contract. The project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire web sites from April 10, 2026, to May 8, 2026. The
City received three (3) responses. The proposals were deemed responsive and were fully evaluated when the Evaluation Committee met on May 26, 2026. The responding firms were:
Company Name City/State Majority/MBE/WBE/VET/EBE/LGBTBE/SLBE
Toole Design Group, LLC Columbus, OH WBE
Alta Planning + Design, Inc. Dublin, OH MAJ
Compass Infrastructure Columbus, OH WBE
Group
Alta Planning + Design, Inc. received the highest score by the evaluation committee and will be awarded the Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) contract.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Alta Planning + Design, Inc.
The certification of Alta Planning + Design, Inc. was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
As part of their bid Alta Planning + Design, Inc. has proposed the following 4 subcontractors to work on the project:
Company Name City/State Majority/ODI Certification
WSP USA Inc. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Compass Infrastructure Columbus, Ohio WBE
Group, LLC
Civic Uplift LLC Columbus, Ohio WBE
Lawhon & Associates, LLC Columbus, Ohio WBE
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Alta Planning + Design, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC009913 and expires 06/13/2027.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
A portion of this project is a reimbursable budgeted expense of $1,000,000.00 within the Federal Transportation Grant Fund, Fund 7765, Project G592606 (2026 SS4A - FY24 - Vulnerable Road User Plan). Funds need to be appropriated.
The remaining balance of $250,000.00 is available within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget and transfer of funds is necessary to align funding for these project expenditures is necessary to align funding with the proper project. Funds need to be appropriated.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested in order to complete needed improvements at the earliest possible time and meet the requirements of the close out date for the Safe Streets for All Program funding award to avoid penalty and to ensure the safety of the traveling public.
Title
To amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of funds within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to appropriate funds within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund and the Federal Transportation Grants Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into contract with Alta Planning + Design, Inc. for the Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $1,250,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund and the Federal Transportation Grants Fund to pay for the for the project; to repay any unused grant funds at the end of the grant period; and to declare an emergency. ($1,250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to enter into a professional services contract to provide for additional resources that are necessary to perform various professional engineering, survey, and technical expertise for the department to implement the Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) project, which includes developing a comprehensive vulnerable road user safety plan that serves as both a supplement to our existing action plan (2023-2028) and informs necessary strategies for our next safety action plan, a pedestrian priority network, and a new 5-year Safe Routes to School travel plan. The project will focus on vulnerable road users defined by their mode of transportation (pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycle riders) as well as demographic subgroups with traffic safety vulnerabilities. The planning process will require an equitable, inclusive, data-informed approach; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service, Office of Support Services, solicited Requests for Proposals for the Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) Project; and
WHEREAS, Alta Planning + Design, Inc. submitted the best overall proposal for this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a contract with Alta Planning + Design, Inc. for the provision of professional engineering consulting services described above in the amount of up to $1,250,000.00; and
WHEREAS, Federal Transportation grant funds will be used to pay for a portion of this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize a transfer of funds within Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, to establish sufficient cash to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize an expenditure of funds within Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund and Fund 7765, the Federal Transportation Grants Fund to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund and the Federal Transportation Grants Fund, Fund 7765; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Alta Planning + Design, Inc. to ensure the safety of the traveling public and to complete needed improvements at the earliest possible time and meet the requirements of the close out date for the Safe Streets for All Program funding award to avoid penalty, all for the immediate preservation of 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 2025 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
7704 / P440104 - 100040 / Misc Dev- Vision Zero Action Plan (Voted Carryover) / $237,525.00 / ($237,525.00) / $0.00
7704 / P530161 - 100000 / Roadway Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $78,448.00 / ($12,473.00) / $65,975.00
7704 / P532000-100010 / Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) (Voted Carryover) / $0.00 / $250,000.00 / $250,000.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $84,695.66, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 4401 (Department of Development), Project P440104 - 100040 (Misc Dev- Vision Zero Action Plan), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), Project P532000-100010 (Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) Project), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) between projects per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $17,548.48, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P440104 - 100040 (Misc Dev- Vision Zero Action Plan), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), Project P532000-100010 (Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) Project), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) between projects per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the transfer of $25,953.94, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 6005 (Department of Public Utilities), Project P440104 - 100040 (Misc Dev- Vision Zero Action Plan), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), Project P532000-100010 (Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) Project), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) between projects per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the transfer of $109,328.77, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), Project P440104 - 100040 (Misc Dev- Vision Zero Action Plan), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), Project P532000-100010 (Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) Project), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) between projects per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 ended December 31, 2026, the sum of $4,495.53 is appropriated in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), Project P440104 - 100040 (Misc Dev- Vision Zero Action Plan), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the transfer of $12,473.15, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), Project P530161 - 100000 (Roadway Improvements), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), Project P532000-100010 (Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) Project), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) between projects per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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 ended December 31, 2026, the sum of $1,320,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 7765 (Federal Transportation Grant Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project G592606 (2026 SS4A - FY24 - Vulnerable Road User Plan), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 9. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to enter into a professional services contract with Alta Planning + Design, Inc., 1160 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215, for the Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) project in the amount of up to $1,250,000.00.
SECTION 10. That the expenditure of $1,000,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7765 (Federal Transportation Grant Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project G592606 (2026 SS4A - FY24 - Vulnerable Road User Plan), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 11. That the expenditure of $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), P532000-100010 (Vision Zero - Vulnerable Road User Plan (VRU) Project), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 12. 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 13. 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 14. 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 15. That at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 16. 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.