Background
A.) Need: This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify contracts with The Waterworks (+$250,000), Holdridge Mechanical (+$200,000), and Fox Mechanical (+$50,000) for the Project Dry Basement Program and authorize the expenditure of up to $500,000.00. The purpose of this program is to reduce water-in-basement occurrences within residential homes in the City of Columbus.
Heavy rains in June have resulted in over 125 water-in-basement claims being filed with the Division of Sewerage and Drainage. If all these claims were approved, installation of backwater prevention devices would exhaust all funds remaining on plumbing contracts in place. The department requests authority to increase contracts with The Waterworks, Holdridge Mechanical, and Fox Mechanical, to provide sufficient funding to address the current claims and provide some contingency funding for possible future claims. The department was anticipating rebidding these services early in 2009 and will still do that. Funding requested through this ordinance will allow the continuation of the program until new contracts are in place in 2009.
This Program, begun in 2004, authorized the Director of Public Utilities to enter into necessary agreements with homeowners and contracts with licensed plumbers to perform work related to the installation of devices that are appropriate for the elimination of water in basements (WIBs) in residences within the City of Columbus. These devices will typically include an approved backwater prevention valve; but in some instances may include a sump pump. Sump pumps will be installed only where necessary. Other devices may be considered if deemed necessary to protect a residence from future WIBs.
Eligible residences are single family or duplexes in Columbus that have suffered a WIB after January 1, 2004 caused by a mainline sewer blockage or a mainline sewer surcharge. Backups caused by blockages or other conditions in residential service lateral sewers on the homeowners property are not eligible for remediation under this program. WIB's must be reported to the Division and documented by the Sewer Maintenance Operations Center.
Eligible property owners are contacted by the Division and invited to take part in the Project Dry Basement Program. Responding eligible owners are contacted by division staff to assess the situation and estimate the extent of work necessary to correct the WIB problem. A contracted plumber is assigned by the division to complete the necessary installations. Contracting procedures comply with the provisions of Section 329.09 of Columbus City Codes. The contracted plumbers, Holdridge Mechanical, Inc., The Waterworks, and Fox Mechanical, Inc. are required to secure any necessary permits and all work must be inspected and approved by appropriate City inspection personnel. Division personnel secure a release of future liability from the homeowner and pay the contracted licensed plumber directly.
To date:
1436 application packets have been sent to homeowners
517 applications have been returned to the division by homeowners (36% response)
489 inspections have been completed by division personnel
486 jobs have been completed
The average cost to date per job is $5,021.00 and $2,440,000.00 of the original $3,000,000.00 project commitment has been paid to the plumbing contractors. This legislation will increase the project commitment by the department to $3,500,000.00.
B.) Fiscal Impact:
The funds requested within this ordinance have been budgeted within the 2008 Capital Improvements Budget for purposes of funding improvements of this nature that increase the efficiency of its wastewater treatment facilities.
C.) Contract Compliance Numbers:
The Waterworks - 311162504 (MAJ) (Expires: (12/22/2008)
Holdridge Mechanical - 311025491 (MAJ) (Expires: 6/21/09)
Fox Mechanical - 311270804 (MAJ) (Expires: 7/24/2010)
D.) Emergency Justification:
No emergency justification is requested for this project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify contracts with The Waterworks, Holdridge Mechanical, and Fox Mechanical for the installation of devices appropriate for the elimination of water in basements in connection with Project Dry Basement; and to authorize the expenditure of $500,000.00 from the Sanitary Sewer Revenue Bonds Fund; for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Columbus and the members of the Columbus City Council are jointly committed to improving the safety and quality of life in neighborhoods, in an effort to make Columbus the best city in the nation to live, work and raise a family; and
WHEREAS, ordinance No. 0856-2004, as passed July 12, 2004, authorized the Director of Public Utilities to establish the Project Dry Basement Program, and to enter into contracts with The Waterworks, Holdridge Mechanical, and Fox Mechanical using the competitive procurement provisions of the Columbus City Codes; and whereupon the Division of Sewerage and Drainage has sent a total of 1436 applications to homeowners; received 517 completed application; performed 489 inspections; and as of September 30, 2008, have successfully completed 486 plumbing improvement installations; and
WHEREAS, heavy rains in June have resulted in over 125 water-in-basement claims being filed with the Division of Sewerage and Drainage. If all these claims were approved, installation of backwater prevention devices would exhaust all funds remaining on plumbing contracts in place; and
WHEREAS, the department requests to modify contracts with The Waterworks, Holdridge Mechanical, and Fox Mechanical so as to provide sufficient funding to address the current claims and to provide some contingency funding for possible future claims; and
WHEREAS, the department was anticipating rebidding these services early in 2009 and will still do that. Funding requested through this ordinance will allow continuation of the program until new contracts are in place in 2009; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for City Council to authorize the expenditure of funds from the Sanitary Sewer Revenue Bonds Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, Department of Public Utilities is requesting that this Council authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify agreements with The Waterworks, Holdridge Mechanical, and Fox Mechanical in connection with Project Dry Basement, at the earliest practicable date; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be, and hereby is, authorized to modify an agreement for services with The Waterworks, Holdridge Mechanical, and Fox Mechanical, in connection with Project Dry Basement, in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the agreement on file in the office of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage.
Section 2. That for the purpose of paying for the installation of devices appropriate for the elimination of water in basements, in connection with Project Dry Basement, the expenditure of $500,000 or as much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Sanitary Sewer Revenue Bonds Fund, Fund No. 665 | Division 60-05 | Project No. 650350 | OCA Code 665350 | Object Level 6678.
Section 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unencumbered balance in the 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; except that no transfer shall be so made from a project account funded by monies from more than one source.
Section 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper project accounting numbers as appropriate.
Section 5. 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 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.