Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department modify an existing contract with The EDGE Group, Inc. to provide professional services associated with the Ulry Warner Parkland Improvements Design Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $105,000.00.
This ordinance will enable Recreation and Parks to complete construction of a 53 acre park in the city’s far northeast area. The site was acquired in 2013 for a future community park for thousands of residents in one of the city’s fastest growing communities. The parkland has been on the community’s highest priority list for development. Funds for this project are being provided by the Department of Development Albany Crossing and Upper Albany West Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Funds as well as the Central College Community Development Authority project account within the Department of Development Hamilton-Central College TIF Fund. Parkland Dedication Funding within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund is also being used to fund the construction and inspection of the new park. This ordinance is providing additional funding from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund.
Improvements for this park project include athletic fields, as well as, hard courts for pickleball and futsal. This project also provides walking paths, natural play spaces, a four season reservable pavilion, parking areas, utility services, four path connections to the surrounding communities, forest preservation, and forest expansion.
This modification covers additional fees needed for the construction phase of the project. These fees were incurred as a result of a recognized opportunity to save project costs using value engineering of the construction documents. This scope of work includes the services to value engineer portions of the project for an overall project savings in excess of $300,000.00.
Modifying EDGE's contract provides the most cost effective and time efficient method for progressing through construction versus hiring a new consultant. EDGE has up to this point been engaged in all of the background and understanding of the project, so they are able to respond to the contractor’s questions most effectively. Their fee was negotiated using estimated hours and previously established contract costs for personnel involved in the project.
Principal Parties:
EDGE Group, Inc.
330 West Spring Street, Suite 350
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Tedd Hardesty, (614) 486-3343
Contract Compliance Number, Tax ID: 001500
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: April 28, 2024
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested as the project is ongoing and this will allow EDGE Group, Inc. to provide the additional construction administration services needed to keep the project on schedule.
Benefits to the Public: Ulry Warner Park will be one of the major greenspaces for the entire far northeast region of Central Ohio. The scale of the park will accommodate a wide range of recreation for all ages, and will be accessible to over 4,000 nearby residents. Future subdivision projects underway will add an additional 1,000 residents to the walkshed within the next 3 years.
Community Input/Issues: Recreation and Parks has engaged with the community and the TIF committee since 2014. Civic groups involved include Asherton Grove HOA, Upper Albany West, and Albany Crossing. Two new large subdivisions are currently under construction surrounding the park space.
Area(s) Affected: Rocky Fork-Blacklick (33)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by providing quality recreational parks, trails, and easy multi-generational connectivity for Columbus residents.
Fiscal Impact: The expenditure of $539,196.16 was legislated for professional services for the Ulry Warner Park Improvements Project by Ordinances 0915-2020 and 0327-2021. This ordinance will provide funding that will modify the previously authorized amount by $105,000.00. $105,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract modification. The aggregate total amount authorized, including this modification, is $644,196.16.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with The EDGE Group, Inc. for the Ulry Warner Parkland Improvements Design Project; to authorize the transfer of $105,000.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund, to authorize the amendment of the 2023 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $105,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($105,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with The EDGE Group, Inc. to provide professional services associated with the Ulry Warner Parkland Improvements Design Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $105,000.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; 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 $105,000.00 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 modify an existing contract with EDGE Group, Inc. as the project is ongoing and this will allow The EDGE Group, Inc. to provide the additional construction administration services needed to keep the project on schedule, all for the 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 modify an existing contract with EDGE Group, Inc. to provide professional services associated with the Ulry Warner Parkland Improvements Design Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $105,000.
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 $105,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks 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 / P510911-100000 / Olentangy Trail - Bethel Road Connector - Grant Match (Voted
Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $108,413 / $108,413 / $108,413 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P510911-100000 / Olentangy Trail - Bethel Road Connector - Grant Match (Voted Carryover) / $108,413 / $108,413 / ($105,000) / $3,413 / $3,413
Fund 7702 / P512015-100000 / Ulry Warner Parkland Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $105,000 / $105,000 / $105,000
SECTION 7. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $105,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation 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.