Explanation
Background: One goal of the Columbus Covenant is to engage and promote strong, distinct and vibrant neighborhoods. The area represented by the Weinland Park Community Civic Association, University Area Commission and the Italian Village community contains an excellent urban street network that serves vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. There is a need to develop a comprehensive Weinland Park Community Mobility Plan using professional consultant services in support of the pedestrian, traffic calming and neighborhood mobility programs to enhance pedestrian safety and neighborhood livability in this area. The Weinland Park Community Mobility Plan will complement and further detail the recently completed Weinland Park Neighborhood Plan and other University Area plans.
This ordinance authorizes the Public Service Director to enter into a contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for the development of a Weinland Park Community Mobility Plan (WPCMP) in the amount of $200,000.00. Also, given the positive role of MORPC in the Linden Area Traffic Management Plan and the Franklinton Community Mobility Plan, the consultant will employ the services of MORPC during the community involvement aspects of the planning process. Services will include producing the WPCMP which will be used to develop complete streets-oriented pedestrian safety and traffic calming strategies to enhance the livability and vitality of the Weinland Park neighborhood and the Summit Street and North Forth Street corridors. The scope of work also includes studying the potential conversion of Summit Street and Fourth Street to two-way operation. The study area follows the boundary of the Weinland Park planning area including mobility across the boundary, and also North Fourth St. and Summit St. from Hudson St. to I-670. The Weinland Park planning area boundary is defined by 5th Ave., High St,, 12th Ave., and the railroad tracks east of Grant Ave. A professional services contract is needed to assure timely completion of the plan development.
The selection process for this professional services contract was completed in accordance with provisions of Chapter 329.14 of the Columbus City Code. Six firms, DLZ, Jacobs Carter Burgess, EMH&T, Resource International,, Stantec, and Trans Associates submitted proposals. The evaluation committee determined that Stantec Consulting Services Inc., contract compliance number 11-2167170, expiring 1/7/2010, submitted the best overall proposal for the work. The Public Service Director concurs with the recommendation of the evaluation committee to select Stantec Consulting Services Inc., to develop the WPCMP.
Fiscal Impact: The sum of $200,000 is budgeted and available within the Transportation Division's 2008 Capital Improvements Budget in the Voted 1995, 1999, 2004 Streets and Highways Fund in the Pedestrian Safety Improvements project for this work.
Emergency legislation is requested in order to allow Stantec Consulting Services Inc. to commence data collection and public engagement activities at the optimum time (summer and fall). The City's timely participation is vital to the success of this project and future community mobility plans.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to enter into a contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for professional services associated with the development of the Weinland Park Community Mobility Plan for the Transportation Division; to authorize the expenditure of $200,000.00 from the Voted 1995, 1999, 2004 Streets and Highways Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, a goal of the Columbus Covenant is to engage and promote strong, distinct and vibrant neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the area represented by the Weinland Park Community Civic Association and the University Area Commission contains an excellent urban street network that serves vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to develop a comprehensive Weinland Park Community Mobility Plan utilizing a professional services consultant in support of the pedestrian, traffic calming and neighborhood mobility programs to enhance pedestrian safety and neighborhood livability; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Division received and evaluated proposals in accordance with the Columbus City Code; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Public Service, Transportation Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a contract and its resulting expenditure for this purpose to commence data collection and public engagement activities at the optimum time (summer and fall) thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to enter into a contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc., 1500 Lakeshore Dr, Suite 100, Columbus, Ohio 43204 in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 for professional services associated with development of the Weinland Park Community Mobility Plan for the Transportation Division.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $200,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, be and hereby is authorized from Fund 704, the Voted 1995, 1999, 2004 Streets and Highways Fund, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, O.L. 01/03 Codes 06-6682, OCA Code 644385, Project 590105 for this purpose.
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 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.