Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into a contract for the Division of Transportation for a professional services engineering contract for the Parsons Avenue Corridor Traffic Study project with PB Americas, Inc. in the amount of $150,000.00. A professional services contract for engineering is needed to assure timely completion of the design and as the Transportation Division does not maintain adequate staff or all of the various disciplines necessary to complete such design in house.
This project was created as a result of the Greater Parsons Avenue Area Vision Plan, adopted in December 2006. The purpose of this plan was to identify market conditions, review corridor architecture and assess infrastructure condition to chart a path towards economic revitalization. The plan contains a number of transportation related recommendations for traffic calming, increased parking opportunities, enhanced pedestrian friendliness, lower traffic speeds and removal of a number of left turn restrictions on Parsons Avenue from Livingston Avenue to Hosack Street. This traffic study will investigate these items as well as consider recommendations from the Bicentennial Bikeways Plan and Operation SAFEWALKS efforts to develop a roadway section that balances mobility needs in support of furthering complete streets for the neighborhood. The absence of sufficient right-of-way to widen Parsons Avenue indicates that all goals will not be met. This study will provide the engineering analysis to select the most desired improvements. The study will also reflect recommended improvements that support the redevelopment of the Techneglas property. Several meetings have been conducted with the business community and Columbus Urban Growth Corporation to develop a scope of services that addresses local concerns. The outcome of the study will be a set of roadway improvements that will create equal mobility options, enhance traveler safety and contribute to redevelopment of the Parsons Avenue corridor.
The selection process for the professional service contract has been done in accordance with provisions of Chapter 329.12 of Columbus City Codes 1959. The evaluation committee determined that PB Americas, Inc, CC #111531569 (expiring 1/29/10), submitted the best overall proposal at a competitive price for this work.
2. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested so that feasibility of removing left turn restrictions on Parsons Avenue which may impact potential development in the area can be studied and commitments to the local community can be met.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $150,000.00 are available due to encumbrance cancellations from completed projects for the Division of Transportation.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into a professional service contract with PB Americas, Inc. for the preliminary engineering of the Parsons Avenue Corridor Traffic Study project and to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund for the Division of Transportation; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to perform a study to evaluate the feasibility of converting the existing Parsons Avenue into a more accessible corridor, possibly removing left turn restrictions, improving parking and addressing pedestrian and transit access which will improve safety in the area; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Service has identified the need to enter into a professional service contract for the preparation of preliminary engineering for the Parsons Avenue Corridor Traffic Study project; and
WHEREAS, a satisfactory proposal has been submitted by PB Americas, Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, Division of Transportation, in that the contract should go forth immediately so that the work may proceed without delay, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the 2008 Capital Improvements Budget established within ordinance 0690-2008 be and hereby is amended due to cancellations as follows:
Project Number / Project / Current CIB Amount / Amendment Amount / CIB Amount
530161-100000 / Roadway Improvements (Carryover) / $6,440,291.00 (Carryover) / $10,708.00 (Carryover) / $6,450,999.00 (Carryover)
Section 2. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with PB Americas, Inc., in the amount not to exceed $150,000.00 for the preliminary engineering of the Parsons Avenue Corridor Traffic Study project.
Section 3. That the sum of $150,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized to be expended from the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund, No. 704, Dept./Div. 59-09, O.L. 01-03 Code 06-6682 OCA Code 644385, Project Number 530161.
Section 4. 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 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the mayor, or ten days after passage if the mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.