Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to modify the professional engineering services agreement with EP Ferris & Associates, Inc. for the Petzinger Road Storm Water Improvements project (CIP 610739-100000), in an amount up to $56,839.94, to include changes to our design standards in the construction plans.
The Petzinger Road Storm Water Improvements project was initiated to address storm sewer drainage issues for the area. Storm sewer design standards changed as the plans for this project were nearing completion. These new standards must be implemented into the construction plans before the construction bid is issued in October of 2026. This contract modification is needed to add funding to update the storm plan to our current standards.
Planning area = “57” (Mid East)
1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $56,839.94
Original Contract (EL003339) $58,923.58
Modification #1 (EL005393) $45,055.00
Modification #2 (EL015993) $31,640.06
Modification #3 (ORD 1386-2021, PO283861) $59,114.34
Modification #4 (current) $56,839.94
TOTAL $251,572.92
1.2 Reason other procurement processes are not used:
The design professional has already completed the original design and plan set, along with the design and as-built information for the sanitary sewer extension project. They are familiar with the nuances of the project area and the design requirements. Bidding of the contract modification will further increase the cost of the design as a new company would have to spend time becoming familiar with the project and certifying the design completed to date before they could make the needed modifications.
1.3 How cost of modification was determined:
The cost proposal was provided by EP Ferris & Associates, Inc., based upon existing contract titles, rates, and allowable expenses. The proposal was reviewed and confirmed by the Division of Water Reclamation/Stormwater Section.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
A new storm sewer system will be installed to address flooding issues within the project area. The community is aware of this project, and the City has worked closely with the residents to ensure that the sewer alignment and construction will have as minimal an impact as possible
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE NUMBER
EP Ferris & Associates, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC004823 and expires 5/1/2027.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this expenditure is available and appropriated in the Storm Bond Fund, Fund 6204. The Capital Improvement Budget must be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Storm Bund Fund, Fund 6204, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase funding for an engineering agreement with EP Ferris & Associates, Inc., for professional engineering services for the Petzinger Road Stormwater Improvements project; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Storm Bond Fund; and to authorize an expenditure of up to $56,839.94 for the contract modification. ($56,839.94)
Body
WHEREAS, the department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Petzinger Road Stormwater Improvements project to improve storm water drainage and reduce flooding in the area; and
WHEREAS, the design plans are nearing completion; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities recently implemented new storm water design standards that need to be incorporated into the design plans before the construction of the project can be advertised; and
WHEREAS, additional funding is needed to pay for these design changes; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Storm Bond Fund, Fund 6204, to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend up to $56,839.94 from the Storm Bond Fund, Fund 6204, to pay for the additional design needed to implement the new storm water design standards into the design plans; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Water Reclamation/Stormwater Section, to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase the contract for the Petzinger Road Stormwater Improvements project with EP Ferris & Associates, Inc.; 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
6204 / 610855-100003 / High St. Storm Sewer, 5th Ave. to 9th Ave (Voted Storm Carryover) / $8,736.00 / $0.00 / ($8,736.00)
6204 / 611038-100001 / Twin Lakes Dam Rehabilitation (Voted Storm Carryover) / $17,079.00 / $0.00 / ($17,079.00)
6204 / 611707-100000 / Second Avenue Sewer Improvements (Voted Storm Carryover) / $24,103.00 / $0.00 / ($24,103.00)
6204 / 611625-100001 / Blueprint Stormwater Sewer System Assessment-Fifth by Northwest and Hilltop 4 (Voted Storm Carryover) / $7,682.00/ $760.00 / ($6,922.00)
6204 / 610739-100000 / Petzinger Road Storm Water Improvements (Voted Storm Carryover) / $0.00 / $56,840.00 / $56,840.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $56,839.94, or so much as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Storm Bond Fund, Fund 6204, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to modify and increase the professional services contract with EP Ferris & Associates, Inc., for the design of the Petzinger Road Storm Water Improvements project (CIP 610739-100000) in an amount up to $56,839.94.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to expend up to $56,839.94 from the Storm Bond Fund, Fund 6204, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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 8. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.