Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Public Service Director to enter into a $12,000.00 Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement with Nationwide Realty Investors for streetscape improvements on the North Front Street bridge between Vine Street and Nationwide Boulevard. The streetscape improvements include the removal of an existing chain-link fence from the concrete parapet wall on the east side of the bridge and the installation of a decorative metal fence in its place. These improvements will greatly enhance the appearance of the pedestrian environment and will match the decorative metal fencing on the west side of the bridge installed by Nationwide Realty Investors as part of the Arena Crossing residential development. The Development Department has identified and negotiated this Agreement and the Public Service Department will enter into contract and administer the Agreement. More detailed descriptions are contained on the attached documents. The formal competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the City Code are being waived for the procurement of engineering and construction services pursuant to this Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Transportation Division originally budgeted $1.8 million in the 2004 Capital Improvements Budget (CIB) for Downtown Streetscape projects. Approximately $1.16 million of these funds from the 2004 bond sale have been either encumbered or expended since July 2004. This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $12,000.00.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement with Nationwide Realty Investors for downtown streetscape improvements on the North Front Street bridge between Vine Street and Nationwide Boulevard for the Transportation Division; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Code, 1959, and to authorize the expenditure of $12,000.00 from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund. ($12,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the need exists to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement for the construction of downtown streetscape improvements on the North Front Street bridge between Vine Street and Nationwide Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, this project will provide improvements to the public right-of-way that meet or exceed the standards of the Downtown Streetscape Plan; and
WHEREAS, this streetscape project will greatly enhance the appearance of the pedestrian environment and will complement an adjacent private sector investment; and
WHEREAS, in order to allow streetscape projects and their adjacent private sector projects to proceed on schedule, streetscape construction agreements were negotiated conditioned on the City's ability to fund new projects and City Council approval of the necessary legislation; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to waive the formal competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Code, 1959, and award this agreement in accordance with Section 186 of the Columbus City Charter; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement with Nationwide Realty Investors for the construction of downtown streetscape improvements on the North Front Street bridge between Vine Street and Nationwide Boulevard for the Transportation Division in the amount of $12,000.00 pursuant to Section 186 of the Columbus City Charter.
SECTION 2. That in accordance with Section 329.27 of the Columbus City Code, City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus that the formal competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 be and hereby are waived for the procurement of engineering and construction services pursuant to this Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $12,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and hereby is authorized and approved from Fund 704, the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6631, OCA Code 644385 and Project 530801.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.