Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Korda/Nemeth Engineering, Inc. for the Raymond Irrigation System Pond Improvements Project. The contract amount is $195,142.20, with a contingency of $21,021.33, for a total of $216,163.53.
This project will design a new water storage pond that will support a new irrigation system serving both Raymond Memorial Golf Course and Wilson Road Golf Course. The pond will be located at Raymond Memorial Golf Course near the 13th tee and will provide benefits to both facilities.
Raymond Memorial Golf Course opened in 1954 and hosts approximately 40,000 rounds of golf each year, the highest number among the six golf courses operated by Columbus Recreation and Parks. Wilson Road Golf Course opened in 1971 and welcomes nearly 30,000 visitors annually, provides an affordable and accessible place for new and experienced golfers to enjoy the game.
The existing water supply systems that support irrigation at both courses have declined in capacity over time and can no longer provide enough water to meet operational needs. The new pond will create a reliable water source for overnight watering and will allow for an improved irrigation system. A new system will help maintain healthy turf and quality playing conditions at both golf courses. It will also protect the City's investment in these public recreation facilities and enhance the experience of the thousands of visitors who use them each year.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions: Proposals were advertised to firms that were pre-qualified through the bi-annual Request for Statement of Qualification (RSFQ) process, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on April 24, 2026 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on May 8, 2026. Request for proposals were received by the following companies:
Korda/Nemeth Engineering, Inc.
Osborne Engineering
DLZ, Inc.
Of note, professional services contracts are quality based selections and not based on price. Costs were not requested nor were they part of this evaluation.
In accordance with City Code, a selection team evaluated the proposals and recommended Korda/Nemeth Engineering, Inc. be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline and project approach.
Principal Parties:
Korda/Nemeth Engineering, Inc.
1650 Watermark Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Dan Biru, 614-487-1650
Contract Compliance Number: 004467
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: February 13, 2027
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is being requested in order to complete the design so that construction can take place during the winter 2026-2027 off season and avoid significant impacts to the course operations.
Benefits to the Public: This contract is necessary to provide acceptable golf playing surfaces to the public.
Community Input/Issues: Golf course staff have identified the need for these improvements based on ongoing operational challenges with the existing irrigation system. The project will support the long-term operating maintenance of both golf courses and improve the experience of visitors who use these facilities.
Area(s) Affected: West Scioto (37)
Master Plan Relation: This project supports the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving operational mechanisms that will help maximize the use of existing recreational facilities for enhanced programming and offerings.
Fiscal Impact: $216,163.53 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Korda/Nemeth Engineering, Inc. for the Raymond Irrigation System Pond Improvements Project; and to authorize the expenditure of $216,163.53 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($216,163.53)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Korda/Nemeth Engineering, Inc. for Raymond Irrigation System Pond Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $216,163.53 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Korda/Nemeth Engineering, Inc. in order to complete the design so that construction can take place during the winter 2026-2027 off season and avoid significant impacts to the course operations, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare and, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Korda/Nemeth Engineering, Inc. for the Raymond Irrigation System Pond Improvements Project.
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 for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $216,163.53, 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 attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is 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.