Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into a professional services contract with M-E Companies for the Bikeway Development - Olentangy Alum Creek Phase 2, Hudson Street/Mock Road, Citywide Signage Replacement Contract for $350,000.00.
The City of Columbus has developed a Bicentennial Bikeways Plan (BBP) which was adopted by City Council on June 2, 2008. The Plan identifies specific bikeway improvement projects located throughout the City. The Division of Mobility Options is responsible for the management of these improvement projects.
There are three individual projects to be designed as part of this contract. These improvements are mostly within the right-of-way, and are projects identified in the Columbus Bicentennial Bikeways Plan. The three projects consist of the following:
Hudson Street/Mock Road
Columbus' rivers generally flow north-south. The bicycle paths that have been constructed along portions of the Scioto River, Olentangy River and Alum Creek provide excellent north-south bicycle access. The City of Columbus Bicentennial Bikeways Plan (BBP) recommends an east/west connection between the Olentangy Trail and the Alum Creek Trail using Hudson Street and Mock Road. The proposed 4 mile route recommended in the BBP will include a combination of bike lanes, shared-signed routes and shared-use path.
Olentangy to Alum Creek East-West Connector Phase 2
In 2010 The City of Columbus constructed an east/west connection between the Olentangy Trail at Broad Meadows Drive and the Alum Creek Trail at Cooper Park. The 7-mile route utilizes mainly existing residential streets between SR 161and Morse Road. However, the construction of a shared use path at the east end of the route is recommended in order to facilitate an additional connection to the Alum Creek Trail near Partridge Park. This facility will run between Bretton Woods Drive and Wingfield Street. A major component of the project will include the path crossing at Westerville Road (SR 3).
Citywide Signage Replacement
The City of Columbus Bicentennial Bikeways Plan (BBP) recommends the development of a system identification for on-street bikeways. System identification creates greater awareness of the bicycle and pedestrian network and provides wayfinding assistance for cyclists and walkers. System identification usually begins by identification of a series of bicycle and pedestrian routes, development of a unique logo and facility signage, development of a network map and publicity. Signage may also include informational kiosks, directional signage pointing out destinations, and mileage indicators. Destination signage helps bicyclists use the bikeway network as an effective transportation system. These signs typically display distance, direction and in some cases, estimated travel time information to various destinations. In Columbus, destination signage will be helpful for destinations such as downtown, The Ohio State University, Easton, Polaris, the Arena District, or other shopping centers, parks and schools. The Consultant will inventory the city's existing bike route signage and develop a new signage system. The Consultant will also benchmark other cities and incorporate best practices into the recommended system.
The Department of Public Service, Office of Support Services solicited a Request for Proposal for the Bikeway Development - Olentangy Alum Creek Phase 2, Hudson Street/Mock Road, Citywide Signage Replacement Contract. This project was formally advertised through the City's Vendor Services from April 28, 2011 to May 26, 2011. The city received Six responses. All proposals were deemed minimally compliant and were fully evaluated when the Evaluation Committee met on June 13, 2011.
Company Name City/State Majority/MBE/FBE/ASN
M-E Companies Westerville, OH Majority
Resource International, Inc. Columbus, OH FBE
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. Columbus, OH Majority
E.P. Ferris and Associates, Inc. Columbus, OH Majority
Michael Baker Jr., Inc. Columbus, OH Majority
Dynotec, Inc Columbus, OH MBE
M-E Companies received the highest score by the evaluation committee and will be awarded the Bikeway Development - Olentangy Alum Creek Phase 2, Hudson Street/Mock Road, Citywide Signage Replacement Contract.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against M-E Companies.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
M-E Companies contract compliance number is 311442777 and expires 2/16/12.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide for this engineering and design work at the earliest possible time in order to continue the effort of being a bicycle and pedestrian friendly city and expedite the planning of the City's bikeway program.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this project are budgeted and available in the 2011 CIB in the Bikeway Development project. This expense can be accommodated by appropriating and transferring funds needed in the amount of $350,000.00 from the Special Income Tax Fund. Bonds have yet to be sold for the whole project, necessitating a certification of $350,000.00 against the Special Income Tax Fund. Upon sale of bonds, this will be reimbursed.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into a professional service engineering contract with M-E Companies for the Bikeway Development - Olentangy Alum Creek Phase 2, Hudson Street/Mock Road, Citywide Signage Replacement Project; to authorize and direct the City Auditor to appropriate and transfer $350,000.00 from the Special Income Tax Fund to the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to appropriate $350,000.00 within the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $350,000.00 from the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($350,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has developed a Bicentennial Bikeways Plan, which was adopted by City Council on June 2, 2008 and this plan identifies specific bikeway improvement projects located throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Service has identified the need to enter into a professional service engineering contract for the design of 3 projects described below:
1. Hudson Street/Mock Road, a 4-mile east/west connection between the Olentangy Trail and the Alum Creek Trail using Hudson Street and Mock Road consisting of a combination of bike lanes, shared-signed routes and shared-use path.
2. Olentangy to Alum Creek East-West Connector Phase 2, a shared-use path between Bretton Woods Drive and Wingfield Street to complete the signed shared route implemented in 2010 between the Olentangy Trail the Alum Creek Trail.
3. Citywide Signage Replacement, the development of a new system of signage for on-street bikeways throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, The Department of Public Service solicited a request for proposal for the Bikeway Development - Olentangy Alum Creek Phase 2, Hudson Street/Mock Road, Citywide Signage Replacement Contract; and
WHEREAS, a satisfactory proposal has been submitted by M-E Companies; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer funds from the Special Income Tax Fund to this project; and
WHEREAS, the City will sell notes or bonds to fund this project and will reimburse the Special Income Tax Fund; and
WHEREAS, this transfer should be considered as a temporary funding method; and
WHEREAS, the aggregate principal amount of obligations which the city will issue to finance this project is presently expected not to exceed $350,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the City anticipates incurring certain Original Expenditures (as defined in Section 1.150-2(c) of the Treasury Regulations (the "Treasury Regulations") promulgated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) with respect to the project described in this ordinance (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, Division of Mobility Options, in that this legislation should go forth immediately to maintain the overall design schedule in order to have plans and engineering services available for bikeway projects, 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 Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with M-E Companies, 635 Brooksedge Boulevard, Westerville, OH, 43081 in the amount of $350,000.00 or so much as may be needed for the Bikeway Development - Olentangy Alum Creek Phase 2, Hudson Street/Mock Road, Citywide Signage Replacement Contract.
SECTION 2. The sum of $350,000.00 be and is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the Special Income Tax Fund, Fund 430, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011 to the City Auditor, Department 22-01, Object Level One 10, OCA Code 902023, Object Level Three 5502.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer said funds to the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund, No. 704, at such time as it is deemed necessary by the City Auditor and to expend said funds or so much thereof as may be necessary.
SECTION 4. That $350,000.00 is hereby appropriated within Fund 704, the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund, Dept-Div. 59-10, Division of Mobility Options as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
704 / 540002-100001 / Bikeway Development - Hudson Street/Mock Road / 06-6682 / 740201 / $100,000.00
704 /540002-100007 / Bikeway Development - Citywide Signage Replacement / 06-6682 / 740207 / $125,000.00
704 / 540002-100035 / Bikeway Development - Olentangy to Alum Creek East-West Connector Phase 2 / 06-6682 / 740235 / $125,000.00
SECTION 5. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 4 shall be paid upon order of the Director of Public Service and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 6. That upon obtaining other funds for this capital improvement, the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to repay the Special Income Tax Fund the amount transferred under Section 3 above.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper accounting project numbers, and to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modification associated with the expenditure of funds transferred in Section 3, above.
SECTION 8. That the City intends that this ordinance constitute an "official intent" for purposes of Section 1.150-2(e) of the Treasury Regulations, and that the City reasonably expects to reimburse itself for certain Original Expenditures incurred with respect to the Project from the proceeds of obligations to be issued by the City in a principal amount currently estimated to be $350,000.00 (the "Obligations").
The City intends to make a reimbursement allocation on its books for the Original Expenditures not later than eighteen months following the later to occur of the date of the Original Expenditure to be reimbursed or the date the Project for which such Original Expenditures were made is "placed in service" within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.150-2(c). Upon the issuance of the Obligations, the proceeds of such Obligations shall be used to reimburse the fund from which the advance for costs of the Project will be made.
SECTION 9. All funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated.
SECTION 10. That for the purpose of paying the cost of the contract, the sum of $350,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Streets & Highways G.O. Bonds Fund, No. 704, for the Division of Mobility Options, Dept.-Div. 59-10
Fund / Project No. / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
704 / 540002-100001 / Bikeway Development - Hudson Street/Mock Road / 06-6682 / 740201 / $100,000.00
704 /540002-100007 / Bikeway Development - Citywide Signage Replacement / 06-6682 / 740207 / $125,000.00
704 / 540002-100035 / Bikeway Development - Olentangy to Alum Creek East-West Connector Phase 2 / 06-6682 / 740235 / $125,000.00
SECTION 11. 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 12. 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.