Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract with Claypool Electric, Inc., for the Hazardous Gas Monitors Replacement project, CIP #650260-103016, in an amount up to $2,393,600.00; 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 $2,395,600.00.
This project will replace hazardous gas monitors at Raw Sewage Pump Building (RSP), Screen and Grit Building (SGB), Digester Control Buildings 1-4 (DBC 1-4), Sludge Loadout Building (SLB), Thickening Facility East (TFE), Thickening Facility West (TFW), Service Building (SEV), and Sludge Control Building (SCB) at Southerly Water Reclamation Plant that are at the end of their useful service life and are becoming increasingly difficult to repair and maintain. Replacement will provide reliable gas monitors that will ensure the safety of the personnel working in these facilities.
The Community Area for this ordinance will be 99, Citywide.
TIMELINE: Claypool will begin contract work after the Notice to Proceed (NTP) is given upon execution of their construction contract. NTP is anticipated to be in October of 2026. Contract work is required to be substantially complete in a manner acceptable to the City within 639 days from the date of NTP. Final Completion is 669 days from the date of NTP.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The bid amount and proposed contract award amount is $2,393,600.00, including a 10% 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 $2,393,600.00
Future Anticipated Needs $0.00
Prevailing Wage Services $ 2,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $2,395,600.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The performance of this contract’s activities to provide construction services to replace existing Gas Monitors at SWRP is needed to continue the City’s effort to upgrade its treatment facilities, provide efficient, reliable, cost-effective operations, and enhance personnel safety. The hazardous gas monitoring system is vital for Personnel Safety and Plant Operation. If left unperformed, the required work could become larger in scope, and more expensive and could produce a major impact to the City’s water reclamation system and the budget.
No community outreach is considered for this project. Public informational meetings are not required, because all proposed work is within the boundaries of the water reclamation plant. Regulatory agencies have been notified of the proposed work as appropriate.
3. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD
An Invitation for Bids for the Hazardous Gas Monitors Replacement project was advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from 6/30/26 through 7/29/26. Two bids were received for the project and were opened on 7/29/26. The following companies submitted a bid:
Company Bid Amount Compliance Number ODI Status
1. Claypool Electric, Inc. $2,393,600.00 CC004366 WBE
2. ProLine Electric Inc. $3,257,662.10 CC005491 MAJ
Claypool Electric, Inc.’s bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $2,393,600.00.
The certification of Claypool Electric, Inc. and of the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Claypool Electric, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC004366 and expires 2/17/8.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Claypool Electric, Inc.
The certification of Claypool Electric, Inc. was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Claypool Electric, Inc. has met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
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 October 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.
A transfer of appropriations and funds is needed up to $2,000.00 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 Claypool Electric, Inc., for the Hazardous Gas Monitors Replacement 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 $2,393,600.00 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund and a transfer of appropriations and funds of up to $2,000.00 within the Sanitary Bond Fund to pay for the project. ($2,395,600.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Water and Power is engaged in the Hazardous Gas Monitors Replacement project; and
WHEREAS, two bids for the Hazardous Gas Monitors Replacement project were received and opened on 7/29/26; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid was from Claypool Electric, 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 of up to $2,393,600.00 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of appropriations and funds within the Sanitary Bond Fund of up to $2,000.00 to provide for payment of prevailing wage services associated with said project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Sanitary Bond Fund of up to $2,000.00 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 Claypool Electric, Inc. for the Hazardous Gas Monitors Replacement project, the cost of which is anticipated to be reimbursed by OWDA; AND 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 / 650260-103016 / Hazardous Gas Monitors Replacement (WPCLF Loan) / $1,261,335 / $2,730,905.00 / $1,469,570.00 (To match the loan amount)
6109 / 650265-100204 / Fairwood Facility HVAC Unit 27 Replacement (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $1,287,191.00 / $1,285,191.00 / ($2,000.00)
6109 / 650260-103016 / Hazardous Gas Monitors Replacement (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $0.00 / $2,000.00 / $2,000.00
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $2,393,600.00, 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. 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 Hazardous Gas Monitors Replacement project with Claypool Electric, Inc., 1275 Lancaster Kirkersville Road SW, Lancaster, Ohio. 43130, in an amount up to $2,393,600.00; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in Columbus Water and Power; and to obtain the necessary Prevailing wage services for this project from the Department of Public Services in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 5. That a transfer of appropriations and funds of up to $2,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109 to pay for the prevailing wage services.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $2,395,600.00, 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 7. 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.