Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Sessley Building Services LLC for the Beatty Community Center Renovations Project. The contract amount of $350,000.00 is being authorized by this ordinance.
The Beatty Community Center, located at 247 North Ohio Avenue, dates to the construction of the gymnasium in 1926 and includes building additions constructed in 1951, 1966, and 2004. A fire broke out in the gymnasium on August 22, 2024. This incident led to fire and smoke damage throughout the building.
The Recreation and Parks Department will deliver this project using a Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) delivery method. This method will enable the immediate start of remediation services while the design team completes the drawings and specifications for construction. This initial agreement is to begin executing repairs resulting from the fire and additional services to implement space for teen programming at Beatty Community Center. This work will include early construction activities such as hazardous material remediation and procurement of long-lead items. There will be one additional planned modification to the contract for the full Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), to be submitted once the project has been fully designed and the subcontractor packages bid. The full construction cost of this project is estimated to be $3.1 million.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status):
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on June 3, 2025 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on July 1, 2025. Bids were received from the following companies:
Sessley Building Services LLC
2K General
Ascension Construction Services
HGC Construction
Marker Construction
Martin Painting Services
Setterlin Building Company
After reviewing the bids that were submitted, it was determined that Sessley Building Services was the lowest and most responsive bidder. Sessley Building Services and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to prequalification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
Principal Parties:
Sessley Building Services LLC
2100 Builders Place, Suite 110
Columbus, Ohio 43204
Brad Bloomberg, (614) 679-2333
Contract Compliance Number: 049940
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: August 1, 2026
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to remedy the damage caused by fire and smoke to a facility that provides vital resources to the community as quickly as possible.
Benefits to the Public: This project will restore a critical resource to the community to allow for a continuance of programming.
Community Input/Issues: The community expressed deep concern and disappointment over the damage inflicted by the fire, expressing the desire for the center to reopen as soon as possible.
Area(s) Affected: Near East (56)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by updating and restoring existing park facilities.
Fiscal Impact: $350,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure. The funds will not be available to the Recreation and Parks Department until the proceeds of the 2024-2025 bond sale are available at a future date. Therefore, it is necessary to certify the required funds against the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099. Upon the sale of bonds, this will be reimbursed.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Sessley Building Services LLC for the Beatty Community Center Improvements Project; to authorize the transfer of $350,000.00 between the General Fund Income Tax Set Aside Subfund and the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; to authorize the appropriation of $350,000.00 in the Income Tax Set Aside Subfund and Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $350,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($350,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Sessley Building Services LLC for the Beatty Community Center Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, the City anticipates incurring certain Original Expenditures (as defined in Section 1.150-2(c) of the Treasury Regulations (the "Treasury Regulations") promulgated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect to the construction of the project described in this ordinance (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $350,000.00 between the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099, and the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, funds will need to be appropriated within the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099 and within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, the City will reimburse the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099; and
WHEREAS, this transfer should be considered as a temporary funding method; and
WHEREAS, the aggregated principal amount of obligations which the City will issue to finance this project is presently expected not to exceed $3,100,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $350,000.00 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 enter into contract with Sessley Building Services LLC in order to remedy the damage caused by fire and smoke to a facility that provides vital resources to the community as quickly as possible, 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 with Sessley Building Services LLC for the Beatty Community Center Renovation 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 from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said funds from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, the sum of $350,000.00 is appropriated in General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099, in Object Class 10 Transfer Out Operating, and in Fund 7702, Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, in Object Class 06 Capital Outlay per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the transfer of $350,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099, and the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, Fund 7702, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer said funds to the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702, at such time as is deemed necessary by the City Auditor, and to expend said funds, or so much thereof as may be necessary.
SECTION 8. That upon obtaining other funds from the 2024-2025 Bond Sale for the City of Columbus, the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to repay the General Fund 1000, Income Tax Set Aside Subfund 100099 the amount transferred under Section 5.
SECTION 9. That the City intends that this ordinance constitutes an "official intent" for purposes of Section 1.150 2(e) of the Treasury Regulations, and that the City reasonably expects to reimburse itself for certain Original Expenditures incurred with respect to the Project from the proceeds of obligations to be issued by the City in a principal amount currently estimated to be $350,000.00 (the "Obligations"). The City intends to make a reimbursement allocation on its books for the Original Expenditures not later than eighteen months following the later to occur of the date of the Original Expenditure to be reimbursed or the date the Project for which such Original Expenditures were made is "placed in service" within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.150 2(c). Upon the issuance of the Obligations, the proceeds of such Obligations shall be used to reimburse the fund from which the advance for costs of the Project will be made.
SECTION 10. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $350,000.00, 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 11. That this ordinance, for the reasons stated in the preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance and fully incorporated for reference as if rewritten, is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after this ordinance’s passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.