Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department modify an existing contract with E.L. Robinson Engineering of Ohio Co. to provide professional services associated with the Big Walnut Trail - Refugee Road to East Main Street Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $1,257,538.55.
This is a planned modification for Stage 2 Phase 2 of the central section of the Big Walnut Trail. This section includes 3.5 miles of 10 foot asphalt trail from Nafzger Park on Refugee Road to the north end of Big Walnut Park at East Main Street. The central reach of the Big Walnut Trail is developing into one of the most scenic and accessible greenways in Central Ohio. It will put thousands of residents of the Mid East, South East, and Far East Communities within a few minutes access to the regional trail network.
This project has been awarded $7,483,914.00 from Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) Attributable Funds towards construction in the 2028 fiscal year. The extension begins in Nafzger Park, along Big Walnut Creek at Refugee Road. From there, the trail will head north along Big Walnut Creek and the Noe Bixby Road Corridor, passing beneath Interstate 270, Norfolk Southern Railroad, and Interstate 70 to a proposed stream crossing into Big Walnut Park. The trail then uses the existing one mile trail ending north of Livingston Avenue. The final segment will head north through Big Walnut Parkland to the northern terminus on the south side of East Main Street at the Fairway Boulevard signal crossing. The project will also provide connection to the Walnut Heights, Pine Hills, and Shady Lane Neighborhoods.
Stage 1 encompassed preliminary engineering, environmental studies, and community outreach. The Stage 2 contract modification is structured into two phases, Phase 1 and Phase 2, to allow the consultant to advance the project while the City awaited additional funding. The Stage 2 scope of work includes detailed design of the trail, associated structures, and trailheads. It also secures all necessary local, state, and federal permits required for complete construction documentation. Phase 1 of Stage 2 proceeded under a negotiated scope with a funding cap of $1.5 million. This contract modification for Phase 2 provides the remaining funds necessary to complete the full Stage 2 scope. A third planned modification, in the third quarter of 2026, will be for construction administration services.
Construction of the 3.5-mile central Big Walnut segment is projected to begin in the first quarter of 2028. The original project completion date of the project was September 11, 2026. The modified project completion date, as a result of this proposed modification, will remain September 11, 2026.
Amount of Additional Funds: $1,257,538.55
Why Additional Services Were Not Foreseen: These additional services were foreseen, however, the level of effort required to complete the services was unknown at the time of initial contract scope and fee negotiation. As with all trail projects, a planned modification is included between Stage 1, or preliminary engineering, and Stage 2, or detailed design, to ensure the appropriate level of scope and fee is negotiated. This was also a planned modification to proceed with phase 2 of the Stage 2 detailed design.
Why It Is Not In The Best Interest For The City To Award Additional Services Through Another Procurement Process: It is in the best interest of the City to award additional services through the existing contract due to the current vendor's in-depth understanding of the project needs and expertise in the specific nuances of the subject matter. As a result, modifying this vendor's contract is more cost efficient than awarding the additional scope to a potentially different vendor through another procurement process.
How The Price For The Additional Services Was Determined: The price for additional services was determined on negotiated scope based on established hourly rates in the original contract.
Principal Parties:
E. L. Robinson Engineering of Ohio Co.
950 Goodale Boulevard, Suite 180
Grandview Heights, Ohio 43212
Angela Fedak, (614) 586-0642
Contract Compliance Number: 005858
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: January 7, 2028
Benefits to the Public: Access to trails and key destinations is one of the top rated priorities noted by Columbus residents. This project will provide significant connectivity for residents in the Mid East, South East, and Far East Communities. These improvements will extend existing regional trail access to and through several parks and neighborhoods.
Community Input/Issues: As part of the MORPC grant application process, Recreation and Parks received dozens of letters of support for this project from the members of the community, including many students from Independence High School and the neighboring communities.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors. The project will provide equitable and safe access to the trail system for under-served communities.
Fiscal Impact: The expenditure of $2,192,000.00 was legislated for the Big Walnut Trail - Refugee Road to East Main Street Project by Ordinances 2015-2024 and 1945-2025. This ordinance will provide funding that will modify the previously authorized amount by $1,257,538.55. $1,257,538.55 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure. The aggregate total amount authorized, including this modification, is $3,449,538.55.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with E.L. Robinson Engineering of Ohio Co. for the Big Walnut Trail - Refugee Road to East Main Street Project; to authorize the transfer of $794,569.25 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget; and to authorize the expenditure of $1,257,538.55 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund. ($1,257,538.55)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with E. L. Robinson Engineering of Ohio Co. to provide professional services associated with the Big Walnut Trail - Refugee Road to East Main Street Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $794,569.25 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1790-2025 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $1,257,538.55 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to modify the contract with E.L. Robinson Engineering of Ohio Co. for the Big Walnut Trail - Refugee Road to East Main Street Project, 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 modify an existing contract with E.L. Robinson Engineering of Ohio Co. for the Big Walnut Trail - Refugee Road to East Main Street Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $1,257,538.55.
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 the transfer of $794,569.25 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1790-2025 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects.
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current Revised Authority / Current Remaining Authority / Change / Amended Revised Authority / Amended Remaining Authority
Fund 7702 / P512022-100000 / Greenways Projects - Misc. (Voted Carryover) / $78,811 / $28,811 / ($4) / $78,807 / $28,807 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P512022-100000 / Greenways Projects - Misc. (Voted Carryover) / $78,807 / $28,807 / ($28,807) / $50,000 / $0
Fund 7702 / P512022-202402 / Greenways - Big Walnut Trail - Nafzger to East Main (Voted Carryover) / $1,037,031 / $1,037,031 / ($765,762) / $271,269 / $271,269
Fund 7702 / P512039-100000 / Big Walnut Trail - Refugee Road to Main Street (Voted Carryover) / $1,500,000 / $462,969 / $794,569 / $2,294,569 / $1,257,538
SECTION 7. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $1,257,538.55, 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 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.