Explanation
Background
This legislation authorizes the Director of Development to enter into contract with MKSK Inc., in an amount up to $250,000.00, to update the Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan. Approval is requested for reimbursement of preliminary research and preparation expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order, starting November 2, 2024. The contract will be for a period of twelve months with one optional twelve-month extension.
The Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan was adopted by the City of Columbus and partner jurisdictions in 2006. The central objective of the Plan is protecting the Big Darby Creek by balancing conservation and development in a manner that allows for responsible growth and long-term sustainability of the watershed.
Significant steps have been taken since that time to implement the Plan. Overall water quality has improved, hundreds of acres of sensitive natural areas have been acquired. Riparian corridors have been restored. Darby-specific stormwater regulations are now in place. New development has featured best management practices and green infrastructure solutions.
While the Accord has advanced many of the goals established by partner jurisdictions, changing circumstances call for a strategic reevaluation and update of the plan. At an October 24, 2024 meeting, Accord partner jurisdictions concurred with the need to revisit the document. As the convener of the October meeting, Columbus is prepared to lead the update initiative.
This legislation allows the Department of Development to engage the MKSK consulting firm for planning services in support of the update. MKSK was part of the consultant team that developed the current Accord document and is well positioned to undertake this task. Accordingly, the department is asking that competitive bidding be waived.
Emergency action is requested in order to expedite the work, thereby ensuring that the Accord remains a current and meaningful guide for development and conservation within the Franklin County portion of the Big Darby watershed.
Bid Waiver Request: A waiver of the competitive procurement requirements outlined in Columbus City Code Chapter 329.18 is being requested, as MKSK Inc. was part of the consultant team that developed the current Accord document and is well positioned to undertake this task and to maintain the planning timeline.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this agreement is available in the Department of Development’s 2024 General Fund Budget, but will require a transfer between divisions.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the MKSK Inc. vendor number is 028341 and vendor compliance expires on 11/5/2026.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a professional services contract with MKSK Inc. to undertake a strategic update to the Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan; to authorize the transfer and expenditure of $250,000.00 from the General Fund; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes; to authorize expenses incurred prior to the execution of the purchase order; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan was adopted by the City of Columbus and partner jurisdictions in 2006; and
WHEREAS, the central objective of the Plan is protecting the Big Darby Creek by balancing conservation and development in a manner that allows for responsible growth and long-term sustainability of the watershed; and
WHEREAS, while significant steps have taken to implement the Plan, changing circumstances call for a strategic update; and
WHEREAS, the Accord partner jurisdictions concur with the need to revisit the document; and
WHEREAS, MKSK has been identified to undertake the update due to their involvement in the original Accord planning process; and
WHEREAS, the department is thereby requesting is requesting that competitive bidding be waived; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a contract with MKSK for the provision of professional consulting services described above in the amount of up to $250,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of funds between divisions and authorize the expenditure in an amount up to $250,000.00; and
WHEREAS, approval is requested for reimbursement of preliminary research and preparation expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order, starting November 2, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the contract will be for a period of twelve months with one optional twelve-month extension; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with MKSK in order to expedite this critical project, all for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That City Council finds that is in the best interest of the City to waive the competitive bidding provisions of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Code to enter into this contract, and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Development be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a professional services contract with MKSK, Inc. to undertake an update to the Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan in an amount up to $250,000.00 for a period of twelve months with one optional twelve-month extension. Reimbursement of preliminary research and preparation expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order, starting November 2, 2024, will be permitted.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept-Div 44-01 (Administrative Division), Object class 05 (Other) to Dept-Div 44-06 (Planning), in object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the transfer of $150,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 1000 (General Fund), from Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development Division), Object class 05 (Other) to Dept-Div 44-06 (Planning), in object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for the purpose stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-06 (Planning), in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all agreements or agreement modifications associated with 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.