Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with General Maintenance & Engineering Company, for the Parsons Avenue Water Plant Roof Renovations Part 2 project, CIP 690291-100007 in an amount up to $2,344,250.00; and to encumber funds with the Department of Public Service for prevailing wage services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $2,346,250.00.
The current roofs of the Finished Water Pump Station, Chemical Building, Maintenance Building, Softening Basin Headhouse, and Storage Building are past their design life and requires repairs too extensive for general maintenance activities. Roof renovations will preserve the integrity of the underlying structure and stop leakage before it causes damage to interior spaces or impacts operation of the water plant.
The Community Planning Area is 99 - Citywide.
TIMELINE: All work shall be substantially complete within 390 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed, with the Final Completion to occur within 420 calendar days. The City anticipates issuing a Notice to Proceed in the 2nd quarter of 2026. The contract will continue until the work is completed and accepted by the City.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT:
The bid amount and proposed award amount is $2,344,250.00, including a 20% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $ 2,344,250.00
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $ 2,344,250.00
Prevailing Wage Charges $ 2,000.00
TOTAL LEGISLATION: $ 2,346,250.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The current roof is past its design life, has developed leaks, and requires repairs too extensive for general maintenance activities. This project will preserve the integrity of the underlying structure and stop leakage before it causes damage to interior spaces or impacts operation of the water plant, which is vital to the treatment and supply of safe drinking water to Columbus and the Central Ohio area. Safe, compliant water quality and quantity are necessary for community economic growth. The work will occur within areas that are not accessible to the public, so no community outreach is anticipated.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from December 18, 2025, through January 28, 2026. Two bids were received:
Name Bid Amount ODI Status
General Maintenance & Engineering Company $2,344,250.00 MAJ
Harold J. Becker $2,865,200.00 MAJ
The lowest bid was deemed responsive and responsible. General Maintenance & Engineering Company’s certification was in good standing at the time of the bid award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
General Maintenance & Engineering Company’s contract compliance number is CC006022 and expires 12/10/2026.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against General Maintenance & Engineering Company.
As part of their proposal, General Maintenance & Engineering Company has proposed the following subcontractors to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
Maxwell Lightning Protection Dayton, OH MAJ
Farber Corporation Columbus, OH MAJ
The certifications of all subcontractors were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
General Maintenance & Engineering Company has met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the construction contract will be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program. City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of loan funding via Ordinance 0700-2025, passed by Council on 3/31/25. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA April Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan application.
The Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established for General Maintenance & Engineering Company for this contract, Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to General Maintenance & Engineering Company, and then submit reimbursement requests based upon these paid invoices to OWDA for OWDA to reimburse Public Utilities.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the proper project for the loan amount. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Funding in the amount of $2,000.00 is budgeted, appropriated, and available within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for this project. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, is necessary to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with General Maintenance & Engineering Company for the Parsons Avenue Water Plant Roof Renovations Part 2 project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,344,250.00 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund to pay for the project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund to pay for prevailing wage services. ($2,346,250.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Parsons Avenue Water Plant Roof Renovations Part 2 project; and
WHEREAS, two bids for the Parsons Avenue Water Plant Roof Renovations Part 2 project were received and opened on January 28, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, most responsive, responsible, and best bid was from General Maintenance & Engineering Company; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0700-2025, passed by City Council on 3/31/25, authorized the use of loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program to finance Public Utilities projects; and
WHEREAS, a loan application has been submitted to OWDA to finance this project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, the loan is scheduled to be approved by the Ohio Water Development Authority Board at their April Board meeting; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, to provide for payment of prevailing wage services associated with said project; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a construction contract with General Maintenance & Engineering Company for the Parsons Avenue Water Plant Roof Renovations Part 2 project, and to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for the contract; 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
6014 / 690291-100007 / Parsons Avenue Water Plant Roof Renovations Part 2 (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $2,344,250.00 / $2,344,250.00 (To match loan)
6006 / 690391-100000 / HCWP A & B Raw & Fin. Water Pumps (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $2,870.00 / 2,870.00 (To match cash)
6006 / 690391-100000 / HCWP A & B Raw & Fin. Water Pumps (Voted Water Carryover) / $2,870.00 / $870.00 / ($2,000.00)
6006 / 690291-100007 / PAWP Misc. Imp’s Roof Renovations Part 2 / $190,200.00 / $192,200.00 / $2,000.00
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $2,344,250.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of up to $2,000.00 is authorized between projects within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this project.
SECTION 5. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the Parsons Avenue Water Plant Roof Renovations Part 2 project with General Maintenance & Engineering Company, 1231 McKinley Avenue, Columbus, OH 43222, in an amount up to $2,344,250.00; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities; and to obtain the necessary construction administration and inspection services for this project from the Department of Public Services in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $2,344,250.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this contract per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.