Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Danbert, Inc., for the CIP #650870-153001 Blueprint 1 - Palmetto/Westgate Permeable Pavers & Water Line Improvements project in an amount up to $11,678,518.48; and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in an amount up to $2,000.00; for a total expenditure of up to $11,680,518.48.
The work for Palmetto/Westgate Permeable Pavers & Water Line Improvements, C.I.P. Nos. 650870-153001 & 690236-100145 consists of the installation of multiple street sections of permeable pavers along with their associated water line relocations as well as stormwater system improvements, and other such work as may be necessary to complete the contract, in accordance with the drawings, technical specifications, special provisions, and City of Columbus Construction and Material specifications set forth in this Invitation For Bid (IFB).
The Community Area for this ordinance will be 53, Greater Hilltop.
TIMELINE: All work shall be substantially complete within 510 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed, with final completion to occur within 540 calendar days.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The bid amount and proposed award amount is $11,678,518.48 (DWR - $7,959,520.47 and DOW - $3,718,998.01), 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 $11,678,518.48
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
Prevailing Wage Services $ 2,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $11,680,518.48
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project works in conjunction with the Blueprint Columbus program to treat and slowly release storm water runoff to obtain the required TSS reduction goals. There have been multiple public meetings, field locations, mail notifications and interactions with the residents, neighborhood associations and other City departments in regard to these improvements.
3. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD
An Invitation for Bids for Blueprint 1 - Palmetto/Westgate Permeable Pavers & Water Line Improvements, projects were advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from 3/10/26 through 4/17/26. Four bids were received for the project and were opened on 4/17/26. The following companies submitted a bid:
Company Bid Amount Compliance Number ODI Status
Danbert, Inc. $11,678,518.48 CC004618 MAJ
Elite Excavating $11,920,051.00 CC001064 MAJ
Trucco Construction Co., Inc. $17,578,702.85 CC004988 MAJ
Complete General Construction $20,126,982.42 CC006056 MAJ
The Danbert, Inc. bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of $11,678,518.48.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Danbert, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC004618 and expires on 5/14/28.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Danbert, Inc
Danbert, Inc. listed the following companies as subcontractors for this project:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Oberlanders Tree & Landscape, Ltd. Bucyrus, Ohio MAJ
Danbert Electrical Corp Plain City, Ohio MAJ
4K Landscape LLC Hilliard, Ohio MAJ
Decorative Paving Loveland, Ohio MAJ
The Paul Peterson Company Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Griffin Pavement Striping, LLC Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Garica Surveyors Columbus, Ohio MBE
Hurt's Trucking Marysville, Ohio MBE
The certification of Danbert, Inc. and the above companies were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Danbert, Inc. and all subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the 650870-153001 Blueprint 1 - Palmetto/Westgate Permeable Pavers portion of this contract will be obtained through a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), 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.
Funding for the 690236-100145 Palmetto/Westgate Water Line Improvements portion of this contract will be obtained through a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program, administered by the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 0341-2026 passed by Council on 3/2/26. The loans are expected to be approved at the OWDA June Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon these loans being approved by the OWDA Board. Public Utilities will inform the Auditor’s Office when the loans are approved. Ordinance 0341-2026 also authorized the Director of Public Utilities to add to or subtract from the anticipated loans listed in that ordinance. 690236-100145 was not listed in that ordinance. Even though Ordinance 0341-2026 stated projects can be added to or subtracted from the list without further City Council approval, OWDA requires an ordinance specifically listing Council’s approval for each project. This ordinance will request that approval.
An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to reflect the loan funding. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111, and the Water-Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Funding for the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in the amount of $2,000.00, is available and appropriated in the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with Danbert, Inc. for the Blueprint 1 - Palmetto/Westgate Permeable Pavers & Water Line Improvements, projects; to authorize amendments to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $11,678,518.48 from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund and the Water-Fresh Water Market Rate Fund for the contract; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving loans for the project; to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for and accept a loan from the Water Fresh Water Market for the Palmetto/Westgate Water Line Improvements project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,000.00 from the Sanitary Bond Fund to pay for prevailing wage services. ($11,680,518.48)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Blueprint 1 - Palmetto/Westgate Permeable Pavers & Water Line Improvements projects; and
WHEREAS, four bids were received and opened for this project on 4/17/26; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid was from Danbert, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3119-2025, passed by City Council on 12/15/25, approved the Blueprint 1 - Palmetto/Westgate Permeable Pavers & Water Line Improvements project to be funded by a loan obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF); and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0341-2026, passed by City Council on 3/2/26, authorized the use of loans obtained through the Water-Fresh Water Market Rate Fund to finance Public Utilities projects; and
WHEREAS, the Palmetto/Westgate Water Line Improvements project was not specifically listed as a project to be loan funded on Ordinance 0341-2026 and this ordinance will ask for authorization to loan fund it; and
WHEREAS, both of these loans are expected to be approved at the June OWDA Board meeting; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon these loans being approved; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper projects; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111, and the Water-Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111, the Water-Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, and the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to pay for the projects; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter a construction contract with Danbert, Inc., for the Blueprint 1 - Palmetto/Westgate Permeable Pavers & Water Line Improvements projects, and to provide payment of prevailing wage services associated with said projects; 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
6014 / 690236-100145 / Palmetto/Westgate Water Line Improvements (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $3,718,999.00 / 3,718,999.00 (To match the loan amount)
6109 / 650870-110164 / Blueprint Tulane / Findley Area Integrated Solutions (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $16,770.00 / $14,771.00 / ($1,999.00)
6109 / 650870-153001 / Blueprint 1 - Palmetto/Westgate Permeable Pavers & Water Line Improvements (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $1.00 / $2,000.00 / $1,999.00
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $7,959,520.47, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111, and the appropriation of $3,718,998.01, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water-Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, 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 loans for this project.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Blueprint 1 - Palmetto/Westgate Permeable Pavers & Water Line Improvements projects with Danbert, Inc., 8077 Memorial Drive, Plain City, OH 43064, in an amount up to $11,678,518.48 in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities; and to obtain the necessary prevailing wage services for this project from the Department of Public Service in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $11,680,518.48, 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 6. That the Director of the Department of Public Service is authorized to apply for, accept, and execute documents necessary to obtain a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority for the Palmetto/Westgate Water Line Improvements project.
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.