Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with Burgess & Niple, Inc. to provide professional services associated with the Big Walnut Trail - Winchester Pike to Nafzger Park - Stage 2 Design Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $2,100,000.00.
Big Walnut Trail’s southern reach is developing into one of the most scenic and accessible greenways in Central Ohio. It will put thousands of residents in the Mid East and South East Communities within a few minutes of access to the trail network. This southern 2.5 mile trail segment will begin at its current terminus at Winchester Pike. It will travel along the greenway corridor to Helsel Park, South Hamilton Road, Refugee Road, and end at Nafzger Park. Neighborhood connections are planned to the Blacklick Estates, Eastland, Cross Creek Village, and Walnut Heights neighborhoods.
The Stage 2 design contract is a modification to the existing professional services contract with Burgess & Niple, Inc. This modification was planned during initial project scoping with the consultant. During Stage 1, the preliminary engineering was completed. It evaluated the options of alignments, environmental survey, crossing details, structures study, and public involvement. This modification covers detailed design and plan completion for the Winchester Pike to Nafzger Park section of the Big Walnut Trail.
Principal Parties:
Burgess & Niple, Inc.
330 Rush Alley, Suite 700
Columbus, OH 43215
John Shanks 614-459-2050x1297
Contract Compliance Number: 004425
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: January 10, 2026
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to meet the 2025 Fiscal Year design completion commitments required for grant funds from the State of Ohio that will be used for future construction of the project.
Benefits to the Public: Residents will be able to access trails and key destinations by extending existing regional trail access to several parks and neighborhoods.
Community Input/Issues: Community input and public engagement was performed during the Stage 1 contract. Access to trails and key destinations is one of the top rated priorities noted by Columbus residents.
Area(s) Affected: Mid East (57), South East (65)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors. It will provide equitable and safe access to the trail system for under-served communities.
Fiscal Impact: The expenditure of $632,468.00 was legislated for the Big Walnut Trail - Winchester Pike to Nafzger Park Project by Ordinance 2562-2023. This ordinance will provide funding that will modify the previously authorized amount by $2,100,000.00. $2,100,000.00 is budgeted and available in the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract modification. The aggregate total amount authorized, including this modification, is $2,732,468.00.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with Burgess & Niple, Inc. for the Big Walnut Trail - Winchester Pike to Nafzger Park Project; to authorize the transfer of $2,100,000.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $2,100,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($2,100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with Burgess & Niple, Inc. to provide professional services associated with the Big Walnut Trail - Winchester Pike to Nafzger Park - Stage 2 Design Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $2,100,000.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1907-2024 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $2,100,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to modify an existing contract with Burgess & Niple, Inc. in order to meet the 2025 Fiscal Year design completion commitments required for grant funds from the State of Ohio that will be used for future construction of the project, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare and, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to modify an existing contract with Burgess & Niple, Inc. for the Big Walnut Trail - Winchester Pike to Nafzger Park Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $2,100,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. That the transfer of $2,100,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1907-2024 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current Revised Authority / Current Remaining Authority / Change / Amended Revised Authority / Amended Remaining Authority
Fund 7702 / P511003-201901 / Griggs Boat Launch Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $800,000 / $800,000 / ($800,000) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P511065-100000 / Lighting Improvements 2023-2024 (Voted Carryover) / $1,642,534 / $1,567,867 / ($42,964) / $1,599,570 / $1,524,903
Fund 7702 / P512022-100000 / Greenways Projects - Misc. (Voted Carryover) / $348,246 / $298,246 / ($298,246) / $50,000 / $0
Fund 7702 / P515009-100000 / Turnberry Golf Course Bridge (Voted Carryover) / $958,790 / $958,790 / ($958,790) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P512036-100000 / Big Walnut Trail - Winchester Pike to Nafzger Park (Voted Carryover); $0 / $0 / $2,100,000 / $2,100,000 / $2,100,000
SECTION 7. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $2,100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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.