Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with CESO, Inc. for the Champions Golf Course Cart Path, Pond, and Entry Improvements Project. The contract amount is $84,700.00, with a contingency of $43,000.00, for a total of $127,700.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
Champions Golf Course is considered one of Central Ohio’s most challenging public courses because of its rolling fairways and mature trees. The course is also challenging due to demanding doglegs, undulating greens, and hilly terrain. There are several areas along the cart path that hold water and need improved drainage. Additional improvements are needed to support user circulation throughout the course.
Accompanying the cart path work, this project will include the design of an entry feature and new signage along Westerville Road. These improvements will create a welcoming and visually appealing entrance that enhances the experience of arriving at the course. The entry will align with the Recreation and Parks Department's branding. It will also improve accessibility and traffic flow for guests.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status): Bids were advertised through Vendor Services and Bonfire, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on July 17, 2025, and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on August 28, 2025. Bids were received from the following companies:
CESO, Inc.
CEC
Of note, professional services contracts are quality-based selections and not based on price. Costs were not requested nor were they part of this evaluation.
In accordance with City Code, a selection team evaluated the proposals and recommended CESO, Inc. be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline and project approach.
Principal Parties:
CESO, Inc.
2800 Corporate Exchange Drive, Suite 400
Columbus, Ohio 43231
Neil Schwartz, (614) 942-3030
Contract Compliance Number: 031591
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: September 8, 2027
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow design work to begin immediately, allow construction to start at the conclusion of the golf season in October 2026, and ensure the course is closed for the minimum amount of time necessary to complete the work.
Benefits to the Public: Improving drainage on the course to reduce standing water and improving the circulation of the cart path for ease of player movement will enhance overall access and usability of the course.
Community Input/Issues: This site hosts various tournaments and is one of the primary locations used by the Golf Section. Golfers expect the playing surfaces to be in satisfactory condition and expect play on the course to be efficient.
Area(s) Affected: Northeast (41)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving key amenities identified for enhancement. Additionally, this project will help maximize the use of existing recreational facilities for improved programming and offerings.
Fiscal Impact: $127,700.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with CESO, Inc. for the Champions Golf Course Cart Path, Pond, and Entry Improvements Project; to authorize the expenditure of $127,700.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($127,700.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with CESO, Inc. for the Champions Golf Course Cart Path, Pond, and Entry Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $127,700.00 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 enter into contract with CESO, Inc. to allow design work to begin immediately, allow construction to start at the conclusion of the golf season in October 2026, and ensure the course is closed for the minimum amount of time necessary to complete the work, 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 Director of the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract CESO, Inc. for the Champions Golf Course Cart Path, Pond, and Entry Improvements Project.
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 for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $127,700.00, 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 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is 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.