Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract with Danbert, Inc., for public sanitary sewers for the Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) project, CIP #650870-101201, in an amount up to $2,080,124.69; and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for construction administration and inspection services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $2,082,124.69.
This project consists of construction of three bioretention basins at following locations:
601-603 S. Champion Avenue, 717-723 Miller Avenue, and 663 Miller Avenue on City owned property.
The project also includes modifications to existing stormwater collection and conveyance system, relocation of water lines, removal/replacement of sidewalk, stone and concrete curbs and asphalt pavement within Public Right-of-Way and acquired temporary easements plus other such work as may be necessary to complete the contract, in accordance with the drawings, technical specifications, special provisions, and City of Columbus Construction and Material Specifications.
The Community Area for this ordinance will be 62 -Livingston Avenue Area.
TIMELINE: Contract work is required to be Substantially Complete in a manner acceptable to the City within 365 days from the date that a Notice To Proceed (NTP) is given by the City. Final Acceptance shall be achieved within 455 days of NTP
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The bid amount and proposed award amount is $ 2,080,124.69, including a 20% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $2,080,124.69
Future Anticipated Needs $0.00
Prevailing Wage Services $ 2,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $2,082,124.69
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project is being completed as part of the City’s Blueprint Columbus program. This project will construct various types of green infrastructure (GI) throughout the neighborhood which will provide a higher water quality within the region by treating the surface runoff before it discharges to the waterways.
Community outreach has been conducted throughout all phases of design via public meetings, distribution of literature, and identification of the location/limits of the proposed work via field markings and signage.
3. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD
An Invitation for Bids for the Public Sanitary Sewers for Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) project was advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from 4/16/26 through 5/15/26. Two bids were received for the project and were opened on 5/15/26. The following companies submitted a bid:
Company Bid Amount Compliance Number ODI Status
1. Danbert, Inc. $2,080,124.69 CC004618 MAJ
2. Ironsite, Inc. $2,383,312.20 CC005926 MAJ
Danbert, Inc.’s bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $2,080,124.69.
The certification of Danbert, Inc. and of the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Danbert, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC004618 and expires 5/14/28.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Danbert, Inc.
Danbert, Inc. listed the following companies as subcontractors for this project:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Oberlanders Bucyrus, Ohio MBE
4K Landscape Hilliard, Ohio MBE
Paul Peterson Company Columbus, Ohio MBE
Griffin Pavement Markings Columbus, Ohio MBE
Visu-Sewer Reynoldsburg, Ohio MBE
Decker Construction Columbus, Ohio MBE
CAP-Stone & Associates Columbus, Ohio MBE
Hurt’s Trucking Columbus, Ohio MBE
The certification of Danbert, Inc. and of the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Danbert, Inc. and all subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
The construction portion of this project is anticipated to be financed with a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), a program jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 3119-2025, passed by Council on 12/15/25. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA December Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA. Columbus Water and Power will inform the Auditor's Office when this loan has been approved. The WPCLF program is a reimbursement loan. The City will pay invoices for the work and then submit the paid invoices to OWDA for reimbursement. The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds must also be appropriated in the WPCLF Loan Fund, Fund 6111.
Funding in the amount of $2,000.00 is appropriated and available within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for this project. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to align budget authority with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract with Danbert, Inc., for the Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,082,124.69 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund and the Sanitary Bond Fund to pay for the project. ($2,082,124.69)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Water and Power is engaged in the Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) project; and
WHEREAS, two bids for the Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) project were received and opened on 5/15/26; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid was from Danbert, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3119-2025 authorized this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Loan Account; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Sanitary Bond Fund to provide for payment of prevailing wage services associated with said project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary in the daily operation of Columbus Water and Power to authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract with Danbert, Inc. for the Public Sanitary Sewers for Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) project; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvement 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
6111 / 650870-101201 / Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) (WPCLF Loan) / $2,000,000.00 / $2,080,125.00 / $80,125.00 (To match the loan amount)
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $2,080,124.69, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this project.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Columbus Water and Power is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Blueprint Miller Kelton Newton Bedford (Rain Garden) project with Danbert, Inc., 8077 Memorial Drive, Plain City, OH 43064, in an amount up to $2,080,124.69; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in Columbus Water and Power; and to obtain the necessary construction administration and inspection services for this project from the Department of Public Services in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $2,082,124.69, 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 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.