Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with American Structurepoint, Inc. for the Olentangy Trail - Northmoor to Clinton Como Project to increase funding. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $94,421.00. The original contract was authorized by Ordinance 1319-2020.
The central 0.6 mile segment of the Olentangy Trail, between Northmoor Park and Clinton Como Park, was never completed, forcing users to leave the trail and use a one mile signed on-street route traveling on five different streets. The route is widely recognized as difficult to navigate, congested, narrow, and unsafe. The route includes constricted sections where combined two-way car and trail traffic is on 11 feet to 13 feet wide pavement. This project will complete this final trail gap by designing and constructing a crossing of the Olentangy River at Northmoor Park, traveling along the west bank of the river. At North Broadway, the trail will use an enhanced bike and pedestrian crosswalk and signal to the Ohio Health Campus. The trail will then continue south and cross the river to Clinton Como Park using boardwalks in environmentally sensitive areas where it rejoins the existing trail. Ordinance 1319-2020 authorized the contract for Stage 1 Preliminary Design. Ordinance 1473-2021 authorized the contract for Stage 2 Detailed Design phase of the project.
The Olentangy Trail is Central Ohio’s most heavily used greenway trail. Recent trail count data shows over 4 million trail miles per year are traveled on this path. In 2018, Recreation and Parks applied for and received grant funding from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) to construct the final gap of the 14 mile Olentangy Trail, from Northmoor Park to Clinton Como Park. This modification will complete the final stage of design including construction administration costs that will ensure the compliance with all contractual specifications and documents and the wetland mitigation fees.
Principal Parties:
American Structurepoint Inc
2550 Corporate Exchange Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43231
Tom Hibbard, 614-901-2235
Contract Compliance Number: 007019
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: June 12, 2025
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested as construction for this project is scheduled to begin in June 2024 and this will allow for necessary construction administration services to start immediately, allowing the project to progress without disruption in order to make the amenities available to the public as soon as possible.
Benefits to the Public: Cycling, walking, running, and active trail uses provide highly recognized year round benefits to urban lifestyles. Access to trails and to key destinations is one of the top rated active transportation priorities noted by Columbus residents. It is estimated that over 30,000 residents, 100 businesses, six parks, and 15 schools are within the trailshed of this project.
Community Input/Issues: The Recreation and Parks Department received letters of support from the community, the Clintonville Area Commission, Ohio Health, private developers, and trail users. A public open house was held in early 2021, with over 230 attendees. Over 450 comments have also been received via website, letters, emails, and voicemails.
Area(s) Affected: Olentangy West (38), Clintonville (39)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to existing trails from surrounding neighborhoods, business districts, and parks. It will also improve trail safety while expanding bicycle infrastructure and accessibility.
Fiscal Impact:
The expenditure of $1,164,026.00 was legislated for professional services in conjunction with the Olentangy Trail - Northmoor to Clinton Como Project by Ordinances 1319-2020 and 1473-2021. This ordinance will provide funding that will modify the previously authorized amount by $94,421.00. $94,421.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract modification. The aggregate total amount authorized, including this modification, is $1,258,447.00.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with American Structurepoint, Inc. for the Olentangy Trail - Northmoor to Clinton Como Project to increase funding; to authorize the transfer of $94,421.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $94,421.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($94,421.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with American Structurepoint, Inc. for the Olentangy Trail - Northmoor to Clinton Como Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $94,421.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1711-2023 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $94,421.00 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 modify the contract with American Structurepoint, Inc. increase funding as construction for this project is scheduled to begin in June 2024 and this will allow for necessary construction administration services to start immediately, allowing the project to progress without disruption in order to make the amenities available to the public as soon as possible, 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 Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to modify an existing contract with American Structurepoint, Inc. for professional design services for the Olentangy Trail - Northmoor to Clinton Como Project to increase funding. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $94,421.00.
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 $94,421.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1711-2023 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects.
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current Revised Authority / Current Remaining Authority / Change / Amended Revised Authority / Amended Remaining Authority
Fund 7702; P512000-100000; New Development - Misc. (Voted 2022 SIT Supported) / $2,762,062 / $2,762,062 / ($94,421) / $2,667,641 / $2,667,641
Fund 7702; P512018-100000; Olentangy Trail - Northmoor to Clinton Como (Voted 2022 SIT Supported) / $4,369,138 / $0 / $94,421 / $4,463,559 / $94,421
SECTION 7. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $94,421.00 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 attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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.