Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a planned contract modification for professional engineering services during construction with CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc. (Ch2M), for the Parsons Avenue Water Plant (PAWP) Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements project, CIP No. 690487-100000, in an amount up to $1,533,000.00.
The Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the PAWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements project. This project provides for engineering design and construction of improvements to the disinfection storage and feed facilities at PAWP. The plant currently utilizes a chlorine gas based process and this project will convert the plant to a liquid sodium hypochlorite based process. This conversion will provide for safer storage and handling of chemicals used for disinfection while switching to a much less toxic chemical.
This contract modification provides continued funding for Engineering Services During Construction. Another modification is planned to add funding to complete Engineering Services During Construction.
PAWP serves multiple Columbus Communities so this project is coded as 99-citywide.
1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $1,533,000.00
Original Contract Amount: $589,800.00 (Ord. 2896-2016,PO050804)
Modification 1 Amount: $1,632,200.00 (Ord. 2956-2019,PO209640)
Modification 2 Amount: $1,747,700.00 (Ord. 1398-2023, PO404081)
Modification 3 (current): $1,533,000.00
Modification 4 (Future): $1,000,000.00 (Estimate)
Total (Orig. + Modifications): $6,502,700.00
1.2. Reason other procurement processes are not used:
Another procurement process is not required. This contract was awarded through the City’s Request for Proposal process with planned funding modifications through construction completion and acceptance by the City.
1.3. How cost of modification was determined:
The Consultant prepared an estimate based on existing contract rates and allowable expenses. The City Project Manager and associated staff reviewed and approved the estimate after negotiations.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project will address the risks associated with a gaseous chlorine system while providing a safer storage and handling system for plant staff. The potential threat of an accidental or intentional release of chlorine gas will be eliminated with this project.
This work will occur within the secure area of the PAWP that is not accessible to the public, so public meetings and outreach are not anticipated.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Ch2M’s contract compliance number is CC006247 and expires 4/9/27.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Ch2M.
As part of their proposal, Ch2M has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work on this modification:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
DLZ, Inc Columbus, Ohio MBE
Hatch Associates Consultants Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Resource International Columbus, Ohio WBE
360 Water Columbus, Ohio WBE
The certification of Ch2M and the above subconsultants was in good standing at the time the modification was authorized.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
This design contract modification is anticipated to be financed with a loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), 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 submitting WSRLA loan applications and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 0348-2025, passed by City Council on 4/28/25. This design modification was not on the list of projects City Council approved for submission of WSRLA loans via Ordinance 0348-2025. Section 2 of that ordinance gave City Council’s approval for projects to be added and subtracted from the list due to schedule changes or department need. OWDA still requires an ordinance specifically mentioning each project. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA January Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA. The Department of Public Utilities will inform the Auditor's Office when this loan has been approved.
The WSRLA program is now a reimbursement program. Public Utilities will need to pay Ch2M’s invoices and submit them to OWDA for reimbursement.
An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds will also need to be appropriated in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract modification for PAWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements with CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc. to add additional funding; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation of funds; to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for and accept a loan from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account program; 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 $1,533,000.00 from the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund. ($1,533,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Parsons Avenue Water Plant Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements Project; and
Body
WHEREAS, Contract No. PO050804 was authorized by Ordinance No. 2896-2016, for the PAWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements Project and funded preliminary design service; and
WHEREAS, Contract Modification 1 was authorized by Ordinance 2956-2019 to add funding for detailed design and bidding services; and
WHEREAS, Contract Modification 2 was authorized by Ordinance No. 1398-2023 to add initial funding for engineering services during construction; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify the professional engineering services agreement with Ch2M for the PAWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements Project to add funding to continue engineering services during construction; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0348-2025 authorized loans through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) to fund Department of Public Utilities capital improvement projects for the Division of Water; and
WHEREAS, the PAWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements Project was not specifically listed in Ordinance 0348-2025 as a project to be funded with a WSRLA loan; and
WHEREAS, Section 2 of Ordinance 0348-2025 authorized Public Utilities to add and subtract projects from the approved loan list based upon departmental need; and
WHEREAS, the WSRLA loan administrators still want to see an ordinance that states City Council specifically approves Public Utilities applying for a WSRLA loan for the PAWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to align budget authority for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and expend funds in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, to pay for work Ch2M performs under this contract modification; 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 / Current / Change / Amended
6011 / 690487-100000 / PAWP Hypo Conversion Imps (WSRLA Loan) / $0.00 / $1,533,000.00 / $1,533,000.00 (To match loan amount)
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $1,533,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account Fund, Fund 6011, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That City Council approves the Department of Public Utilities applying for a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account loan to fund this contract modification to provide professional engineering services for the Parsons Avenue Water Plant Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements project, CIP No. 690487-100000.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this project.
SECTION 5. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to enter into a planned contract modification to add additional funding for professional engineering services for the PAWP Hypochlorite Disinfection Improvements project, CIP #690487-100000, with CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc., 2 Easton Oval, Suite 500, Columbus, Ohio, 43219; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract modification on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $1,533,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this contract modification per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.