Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract awarded through the City’s Request for Proposal process with Evans Mechwart Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. (EMH&T), for the Stormwater Strategic Plan Project, CIP #611032-100001, in an amount up to $1,039,233.28.
This contract is to develop a stormwater strategic plan and the implementation strategies to prepare the City for the rapid growth of Central Ohio and for climate change, to cost effectively meet the City’s stormwater management goals, and to continue be in compliance with current and future State and Federal stormwater regulations.
The community area is “99 - City-Wide”.
TIMELINE & FUTURE MODIFICATION(S): The contract will end when EMH&T has performed the entire scope of services and the work is accepted by the City as complete. It is estimated this acceptance will occur in the 4th quarter of 2027, but if not, the contract continues until the work for the entire contract scope is accepted as complete by the City. One future contract modification to add funding to continue contract services is anticipated.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT:
The bid amount and proposed award amount is $1,039,233.28, including a 10% contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work.
Cost summary:
Original Contract (current) $1,039,233.28
Future Anticipated Needs $ 500,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $1,539,233.28
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project will develop a stormwater master plan and prepare the City for increased severe weather and flooding frequency, and ultimately protect property and lives.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites and opened 11/15/2024. Two proposals were received:
Name C.C. No. Exp. Date City/State
EMH& T CC-004214 11/8/2025 Columbus, OH
Arcadis U.S. Inc. CC-009409 01/21/2027 Columbus, OH
Both proposals were deemed responsive. An evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the Stormwater Strategic Plan Project be awarded to EMH&T
EMH&T’s certification was in good standing at the time of the contract award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
EMH&T’s contract compliance number is CC-004214 and expires 11/8/2025.
As part of their proposal, EMH&T has proposed using the following sub-consultants to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State
Coldwater Consulting, LLC Columbus, Ohio
CDM Smith Columbus, Ohio
MS Consultants Columbus, Ohio
Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc Columbus, Ohio
The certification of the above listed companies was in good standing at the time the contract was awarded.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $1,039,233.28 is available and appropriated within the Storm Bond Fund, Fund 6204. An amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Storm Bond Fund is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract with EMH&T for the Stormwater Strategic Plan Project; to modify the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation within the Storm Bond Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of $1,039,233.28 from the Storm Bond Fund. ($1,039,233.28)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Stormwater Strategic Plan Project; and
WHEREAS, a Request for Proposals was advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites for the project with proposals due on 11/15/24; and
WHEREAS, two proposals for the Stormwater Strategic Plan Project were received and evaluated by the evaluation committee; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended EMH&T be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract with EMH&T for the Stormwater Strategic Plan Project; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation within the Storm Bond Fund, Fund 6204, to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, funds must be expended from the Storm Bond Fund, Fund 6204, to pay for the contracted services; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1907-2024 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6204 / 611716-100000 / Major Stormwater Drainage Improvements (Voted Storm Carryover) / $633,550.00 / $0.00 / ($633,550.00)
6204 / 611021-100000 / SMOC Facility Stormwater Improvements (Voted Storm Carryover) / $399,778.00 / $0.00 / ($399,778.00)
6204 / 611711-100000 / Thurston Grimsby Storm Sewer Improvements Project (Voted Storm Carryover) / $18,299.00 /$12,393.00 / ($5,906.00)
6204 / 611032-100001 / Stormwater Strategic Plan (Voted Storm Carryover) / $0.00 / $1,039,234.00 / $1,039,234.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $1,039,233.28, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Storm Bond Fund, Fund 6204, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a professional engineering services contract with EMH&T, 5500 New Albany Rd, Columbus, Ohio, 43054, for the Stormwater Strategic Plan Project, in an amount up to $1,039,233.28.
SECTION 4. That an expenditure of $1,039,233.28, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Storm Bond Fund, Fund 6204, to pay for this contract, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.