Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract modification with Travco Construction, Inc., hereafter referred to as Travco, for the Lead Service Line Replacement - Pilot Program contract, CIP #690236-100178, in an amount up to $500,000.00.
The water distribution system is comprised of service lines owned by the City on the public side, and by individual property owners on the private side. The public side includes the part of the service line installed within the public right-of-way, and the private side includes the part of the service line running from the end of the public right-of-way to the structure on the property. The City excluded lead as an approved material for service lines in 1963. However, lead service lines currently exist in both the public and private side of the City service lines due to installation prior to the exclusion. The public health and safety is endangered by the ingestion of drinking water that contains lead. The use of a lead service line to deliver drinking water from a water main to a residence, business, school, or other building or structure, increases the risk of lead content in the water. The continued use of lead service lines for an indefinite period of time, without a systematic plan for replacing those lead lines, is a threat to the health and safety of the utility customers as well as the residents, occupants, and visitors to the City.
The US EPA mandated that lead water lines be removed from a utility’s water distribution system and that the utility is responsible for replacing both the private and public parts of the lead water lines. Within the City’s water distribution system, the property owner is responsible for the private part of the water line and the Department of Public Utilities does not perform work on the private part. Ordinance 1648-2024, passed by City Council on 6/24/24, authorized the establishment of a Lead Service Line Replacement - Pilot Program project so the Department of Public Utilities could learn about replacing lead water lines on private property and develop policies, procedures, rules, and regulations concerning the replacement of those lines. This contract modification will provide funding to finish replacing the lead water lines for Columbus residents that volunteered to participate in the pilot program.
The Community Planning Area is 99 Citywide.
1.1 TIMELINE: The original project timeline is still in effect. All work shall be complete within 730 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. The City issued a Notice to Proceed on January 15, 2025.
1.2 ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The project cost, including grant funding, will be $4,500,000 after this contract modification is executed.
Cost summary:
Original Contract (ORD 1648-2024, PO461754, PO461769) $ 2,500,000.00
H2Ohio Grant (ORD 1693-2025) $ 500,000.00
Modification No. 1 ( ORD 1748-2025, PO524978) $ 1,000,000.00
Modification No. 2 (Current) $ 500,000.00
TOTAL $ 4,500,000.00
No future modifications are anticipated
1.3 Reason other procurement processes are not used
This contract was awarded through the City’s bid process.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The additional funds provided for the project will permit the contractor to continue replacing lead or galvanized taps and private service lines. This will assist the Division of Water in meeting OEPA requirements regarding lead. This work will be performed on an “as-needed” basis at miscellaneous locations directed by the City, and will remain within the original scope of the contract. Community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Travco’s contract compliance number is CC009944 and expires 9/3/26.
Travco has proposed the following three subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Decker Construction Company Columbus, OH MAJ
Biz Tech DBA Tatum Landscaping Columbus, OH MBE
& Lawncare LLC
CLB Trucking, Inc. Columbus, OH MBE
The certification of Travco and the above companies was in good standing at the time the of this contract modification.
4. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Travco and all subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $500,000.00 are available within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper projects.
6. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested for this ordinance so water lines containing lead and/or galvanized material may be remedied as soon as possible, eliminating this public health hazard
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a contract modification to add funding for the Lead Service Line Replacement - Pilot Program project with Travco; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the expenditure of up to $500,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Lead Service Line Replacement - Pilot Program project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 1648-2024 authorized a contract with Travco for the Lead Service Line Replacement - Pilot Program project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 1693-2025 authorized a contract modification to the Lead Service Line Replacement - Pilot Program contract with Travco to add grant funding; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1748-2025 authorized a contract modification to the Lead Service Line Replacement - Pilot Program contract with Travco to add funding for additional lead line removal work; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a contract modification for the Lead Service Line Replacement - Pilot Program project with Travco to complete work for City residents that volunteered to participate in the pilot program; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, funds must be expended to pay for the services Travco provides under the Lead Service Line Replacement - Pilot Program contract; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to modify the existing agreement so water lines containing lead and/or galvanized material may be remedied as soon as possible, eliminating this public health hazard, 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 2025 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6006 / 690236-100000 / Water Main Rehabilitation (Voted Water Carryover) / $415,993.00 / $579,197.00 / $163,204.00 (To match cash)
6006 / 690236-100000 / Water Main Rehabilitation (Voted Water Carryover) / $579,197.00 / $110,544.00 / ($468,653.00)
6006 / 690236-100159 / 5th Ave by Northwest - Edgehill Meadow WL Imp's (Voted Water Carryover) / $16,000.00 / $0.00 / ($16,000.00)
6006 / 690236-100161 / Old Beechwold Private Water Services & Water Line Abandonment (Voted Water Carryover) / $15,347.00 / $0.00 / ($15,347.00)
6006 / 690236-100178 / Lead Line Replacement - Pilot Program (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $500,000.00 / $500,000.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to enter into a contract modification for the Lead Service Line Replacement - Pilot Program project with Travco Construction, Inc., 5506 Harrisburg Pike, Grove City, Ohio, 43123, for construction services in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the contract on file with the Department of Public Utilities in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00.
SECTION 3. That an expenditure not to exceed $500,000.00 is authorized in the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
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 the City Auditor is 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 6. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this Ordinance.