Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with E.P. Ferris & Associates, Inc. to provide professional land survey services for the Linden Green Line ALTA Survey Project. The contract amount of $114,500.00 is being authorized by this ordinance.
The Linden Green Line is a 7 mile rail corridor being acquired by Recreation and Parks to develop a 58 acre linear park for thousands of residents, businesses, and employees of the Linden and Northland Communities. This American Land Title Association (ALTA) survey is essential to the city’s due diligence to acquire the corridor. The specifications include title and deed research, historic railroad mapping records, easements, encumbrances, encroachments, and field locating the boundaries and distinguishing the limits of the property corners with iron pins and Columbus Recreation and Parks Department property markers.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status):
Proposals were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on July 25, 2023 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on August 14, 2023. Proposals were received from the following company:
Korda/Nemeth Engineering Inc. (MAJ)
Langan Engineering and Environmental Services (MAJ)
E. P. Ferris & Associates, Inc. (MAJ)
Of note, professional services contracts are quality based selections and not based on price.
In accordance with City Code, a selection team evaluated the proposals and recommended E. P. Ferris & Associates, 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:
E. P. Ferris & Associates, Inc.
2130 Quarry Trails Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43228
Matt Ferris, (614) 299-2992
Contract Compliance Number: 004823
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: April 07, 2025
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is being requested so that the survey work can be completed before the end of 2023 and complete the necessary due diligence for the property acquisition.
Benefits to the Public: By developing the Linden Green Line, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department will be providing a 58 acre park with nature paths and recreational opportunities for approximately 131,000 residents in the Linden and Northland communities. These areas are currently under served and the Linden Green Line will be the first linear park to be developed within these dense inner city neighborhoods.
Community Input/Issues: Public input was gathered through engagement opportunities with community leaders and 311 requests. The master planning phase of the Linden Green Line ALTA Survey Project will involve the public through continued outreach as the next phase of the project begins.
Area(s) Affected: Northland (35), North Linden (40), South Linden (45)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by expanding equitable access to parks, schools, and natural areas.
Fiscal Impact: $114,500.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract modification.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with E.P. Ferris and Associates, Inc. for the Linden Green Line ALTA Survey Project; to authorize the transfer of $114,500.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $114,500.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($114,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with E. P. Ferris & Associates, Inc. for the Linden Green Line ALTA Survey Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $114,500.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; 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 $114,500.00 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 enter into contract with E.P. Ferris & Associates, Inc. so that the survey work can be completed before the end of 2023 and complete the necessary due diligence for the property acquisition, 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 enter into contract with E.P. Ferris & Associates, Inc. for the Linden Green Line ALTA Survey 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 the transfer of $114,500.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Voted 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 / P517000-100000 / Opportunity Projects - Misc. (Voted Carryover) / $1,463,538 / $1,463,538 / ($114,500) / $1,349,038 / $1,349,038
Fund 7702 / P512034-100000; Linden Green Line (Voted Carryover); $0 / $0 / $114,500 / $114,500 / $114,500
SECTION 7. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $114,500.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the 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.