Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract modification with Evans Mechwart Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. (EMH&T Inc.), for construction administration/inspection services for Department of Public Utilities construction projects bid during the calendar years 2026 through 2028 as part of the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contracts. The construction project to be administered by EMH&T Inc. under this contract modification is the Blueprint Volunteer Sump Pump 2025 project, CIP No. 650876-129992, in an amount up to $200,000.00.
The Blueprint Volunteer Sump Pump 2025 project will install sump pumps in homes to redirect foundation drain away from the sanitary sewer lateral to the house’s sump pit. This will reduce rainwater infiltration of the sanitary sewers by directing the rainwater to storm sewers. This redirection reduces basement flooding and assists with compliance of environmental requirements to keep rainwater out of the sanitary sewer system. This project will cover 400 properties that represent the 10% target participation rate in the following areas: Clintonville 1, Phase 4; Clintonville 3, Phase 1; Hilltop 1, Phase 3; Hilltop 4; and Phase 1 of Miller/Kelton, Linden, James/Livingston, Old Beechwold, and 5th by Northwest 1. Construction administration and inspection services ensure work is consistent with and conforms to plans and specifications, and that the construction and any associated issues are handled efficiently and in the best interest of the City of Columbus.
This work will primarily be performed in Community Planning Area 99 - Citywide.
UPDATED TIMELINE
The original contract allowed for work is to be completed within the timeframe established by the individual construction contracts. This contract modification will be in effect through the completion of construction for this project.
1.1. Amount of additional funds to be expended: $200,000.00
Original Contract: $ 801,068.92 (ORD 0648-2026; PO567231 & PO567218)
Modification #1: (current): $ 200,000.00 (Current)
Total: $ 1,001,068.92
1.2. Reasons additional goods/services could not be foreseen:
This is a three-year agreement for fiscal years 2026 - 2028 and modifications were anticipated and explained in the original legislation under Ordinance 0648-2026.
1.3. Reason other procurement processes are not used:
This is a multi-year contract that will be modified as required to provide Construction Administration/Construction Inspection services for construction projects that bid during the three-year (2026-2028) timeframe. Another procurement process is not required.
1.4. How cost of modification was determined:
The cost of this modification was determined by negotiations between EMH&T Inc. and Department of Public Utilities project staff based upon the existing contract labor titles, maximum labor rates, allowable contract expenses, and the time estimated to be needed to perform contract tasks.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
Division of Sewerage and Drainage projects include rehabilitation of existing sewers, repair to existing sewers, construction of new sewers, and construction of green infrastructure. The majority of the projects will reduce inflow and infiltration to the City’s sanitary sewer system thus mitigating sanitary sewer overflows to basements and waterways. Other projects provide improvement to existing storm infrastructure to mitigate drainage/flooding issues.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
EMH&T Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC-004214 and expires 10/17/2027.
EMH&T Inc.’s certification was in good standing at the time of this contract modification.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are appropriated and available within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, for this expenditure. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract modification with Evans Mechwart Hambleton & Tilton Incorporated for the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 contract; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund; and to expend up to $200,000.00 from the Sanitary Bond Fund for the modification. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Blueprint Volunteer Sump Pump 2025 project; and
WHEREAS, Contract Nos. PO567231 & PO567218 were authorized by Ordinance No. 0648-2026, for the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 Project; and
WHEREAS, a planned contract modification is needed to add additional funds for the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection tasks needs to be performed for the Blueprint Volunteer Sump Pump 2025 project; and
WHEREAS, the contract with EMH&T Inc. will need to be modified to add this task to the contract and to add funding to pay for the task; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities to expend funds from the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to pay for the construction administration and inspection services EMH&T Inc. provides under the Construction Administration/Construction Inspection Services 2026-2028 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
6109 / 650138-100003 / Blacklick Creek Sanitary Subtrunk Sewer - Turning Branch (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $639,038.00 / $439,038.00 / ($200,000.00)
6109 / 650876-129992 / Blueprint Volunteer Sump Pump 2025 (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $4,331,179.00 / $4,531,179.00 / $200,000.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to enter into a contract with EMH&T Inc., 5500 New Albany Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43054, for construction administration and inspection services, in accordance with the terms and conditions as shown in the contract on file with the Department of Public Utilities, in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $200,000.00, or so much as is needed, is authorized between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That an expenditure not to exceed $200,000.00 is authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. Funds are 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 6. 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 7. That the City Auditor is 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 8. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.