Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Econsult Solutions, Inc. to provide a market analysis for the Livingston Avenue area and authorize payments for services starting October 1, 2024, until August 31, 2025.
The City of Columbus seeks balanced, equitable neighborhoods where residents all have access to financial stability and economic opportunity. Through activities by the Department of Development and other city agencies partnering with the City, the City is committed to supporting and encouraging scalable economic development throughout Columbus. The Economic Development Division carries out this role by supporting, collaborating, and partnering as necessary in development and revitalization efforts.
This study intends to examine the market for small business growth in the Livingston Avenue area. The focus will be on retail and small commercial businesses that can re-invigorate and invest in the traditional neighborhood business corridors of East Livingston Avenue and Alum Creek Drive in the Driving Park area.
The Department of Development advertised RFQ026836 through the Vendor Services portal on February 14, 2024, and accepted proposals for Livingston Avenue Area Market Analysis through the Bonfire portal on March 19, 2024. Five (5) proposals were submitted in response to RFQ026836 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes. An evaluation committee of members from the Driving Park Civic Association, Old Oaks Civic Association, Rickenbacker Woods Foundation, and the Department of Neighborhoods and City Council selected Econsult Solutions, Inc. The evaluation was based on prior experience, project competence, and other factors.
Contract Compliance: The vendor number is 048471 and expires 3/15/2026.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $149,820.00 within the Economic Development Division's General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Econsult Solutions, Inc., in an amount up to $149,820.00 to provide a market analysis for the Livingston Avenue area; to authorize the expenditure of $149,820.00 from the Economic Development Division's General Fund budget; and to authorize reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order. ($149,820.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development has a need to examine the market for retail and small commercial businesses that can re-invigorate and invest in the traditional neighborhood business corridors of East Livingston Avenue and Alum Creek Drive in the Driving Park area; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus utilized a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to identify and assess qualified firms; and
WHEREAS, proposals were submitted in response to RFQ026836 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Code, and Econsult Solutions, Inc. received the highest overall score from the RFP committee; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is authorized to enter into a service contract with Econsult Solutions, Inc., in an amount up to $149,820.00 to provide a market analysis for the Livingston Avenue area and authorize payments for services starting October 1, 2024 until to August 31, 2025. Reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to the execution of the purchase order are hereby authorized.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $149,820.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept Div 44-02 (Economic Development), object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
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 this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.