Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. for the design and engineering of the Blacklick Trail - Portman Park to Refugee Road.
The Blacklick Trail is a significant trail in Central Ohio. Over 14 miles of trail have been developed from Three Creeks Park to Reynoldsburg. One critical gap remains in the trail, an 800 l.f. segment near the intersection of Hines Road, Refugee Road, and the Norfolk Southern (NS) railroad. The gap prevents safe and permitted use from Portman Park to the Retreat at Turnberry trailhead. The greatest obstacle is engineering and obtaining an easement from the NS railroad for a trail underpass beneath the trestle. For the past 6 years, attempts have been unsuccessful to close this gap, and no formal plans were developed for railroad review and permitting.
This final gap in the trail receives a great deal of public comment to resolve the issue, and trail users routinely trespass along a dirt path beneath the trestle connecting to the north and south open sections of Blacklick Trail.
To solve the issue, Recreation and Parks published an RFP for engineering services to finish the remaining section, coordinate and obtain the proper permits from NS railroad for an underpass, and pave the 800 l.f. segment.
The costs for this project will be $79,818.00
Proposals were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on October 5, 2016 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on October 21, 2016. Bids were received from the following companies:
Company
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (Columbus)
Carpenter/Marty (Columbus)
2 LMN (Columbus)
Korda Nemeth (Columbus)
FTC & H (Columbus)
GPD (Columbus)
After evaluation of the proposals, it was recommended that Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their reference projects, railroad experience, qualifications, availability, timeline, and project approach.
Principal Parties:
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson
2800 Corporate Exchange Drive, Columbus, OH 43231
Josh Conley 614-942-3666
52-0963531
Exp Date: 4/21/18
Benefits to the Public: Trails are recognized as a significant component of the city’s health and wellness, diversity, social equity and conservation initiatives. Trails offer profound lifestyle benefits, and residents and visitors alike recognize the Blacklick Trail as a major priority for expansion and connectivity.
Area(s) Affected: Brice/Eastland Community (Planning Area 24)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors and providing safe connections for nearby neighborhoods to the regional trail network.
Fiscal Impact: $79,818.00 is budgeted and available in the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. for the design and engineering of the Blacklick Trail - Portman Park to Refugee Road; to authorize the expenditure of $79,818.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702. ($79,818.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Blacklick Trail is a significant trail in Central Ohio, however, one critical gap remains in the trail, an 800 l.f. segment near the intersection of Hines Road, Refugee Road, and the Norfolk Southern (NS) railroad. This final gap in the trail receives a great deal of public comment to resolve the issue, and trail users routinely trespass along a dirt path beneath the trestle connecting to the north and south open sections of Blacklick Trail. To solve the issue, Recreation and Parks published an RFP for engineering services to finish the remaining section, coordinate and obtain the proper permits from NS railroad for an underpass, and pave the 800 l.f. segment; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $79,818.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702;
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. for the design and engineering of the Blacklick Trail - Portman Park to Refugee Road; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. for the design and engineering of the Blacklick Trail - Portman Park to Refugee Road.
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 $79,818.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 7702 Recreation and Parks Bond Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the 2016 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 0960-2016 is hereby amended as
follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this legislation and future projects.
CURRENT:
Fund 7702; P510305-100000; Greenways - Big Run Trail; $850,000 (SIT Supported)
Fund 7702; P510309-100001; Greenways - Blacklick Trail - Portman Park to Refugee Rd. Legislation; $0 (SIT Supported)
AMENDED TO:
Fund 7702; P510305-100000; Greenways - Big Run Trail; $770,182 (SIT Supported)
Fund 7702; P510309-100001; Greenways - Blacklick Trail - Portman Park to Refugee Rd. Legislation; $79,818 (SIT Supported)
SECTION 7. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $79,818.00 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 attachment.
SECTION 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.