Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes: 1) the Director of Public Service to accept deposits from the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority to be used for construction, construction inspection, and administration of the Roadway - West Broad Street and Doherty Road project; 2) the establishment of Auditor’s Certificates for the payment of construction, construction inspection, and administration services of the project; and 3) the expenditure of funds for the aforementioned purpose. It also authorizes the refund of any unused funds deposited by Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority, or the acceptance of additional funding from Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority should the aforementioned sum prove insufficient, to pay the actual costs for construction, construction inspection, and administration for this project upon the completion of final accounting for the Roadway - West Broad Street and Doherty Road project or when the Department of Public Service determines remaining funds are no longer needed for construction, construction inspection, and administration for the project.
Additionally, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into contract with Strawser Paving Co, Inc. for the Roadway - West Broad Street and Doherty Road project.
This contract includes reconstruction of Doherty Road and reconstruction of part of West Broad Street. The existing grass median on West Broad Street will be partially removed to provide an eastbound left turn lane at Doherty Road. A southbound left turn lane will be added to Doherty Road at West Broad Street. The improvements also include concrete curbs, sidewalks, shared use path, storm sewer, a new traffic signal, and other work as may be necessary to complete the contract in accordance with the plans and specifications set forth in the Bid Submittal Documents.
The Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority recently deposited $1,888,996.50 with the City Treasurer to support the performance of those services. Ordinance 2801-2024 authorized the execution of a Cooperative Agreement by and among the City of Columbus, the Big Darby West Broad Street NCA, Metro Development LLC, and the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority for the financing of certain public infrastructure improvements to West Broad Street and Doherty Road.
The estimated Notice to Proceed date is January 29, 2025. The project was let by the Office of Support Services through Vendor Services and Bid Express. Five bids were received on October 24, 2024, (all majority) and tabulated as follows:
Company Name Bid Amount City/State Majority/ODI Cert
Strawser Paving Company $1,999,095.95 Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Shelly & Sands, Inc. $2,042,189.10 Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Complete General Construction Company $2,150,151.77 Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Danbert, Inc. $2,632,586.47 Plain City, Ohio MAJ
Double Z Construction Company $2,896,802.31 Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Award is to be made to Strawser Paving Co, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible and best bidder for their bid of $1,999,095.95. The amount of construction administration and inspection services will be $219,900.55. The total legislated amount is $2,218,996.50.
Searches in the System for Award Management (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Strawser Paving Co, Inc.
The certification of Strawser Paving Co, Inc. and all associated subcontractors was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
As part of their bid Strawser Paving Co, Inc. has proposed the following subcontractors to work on the project:
Company Name City/State Majority/ODI Certification
Griffin Pavement Striping, LLC Columbus, Ohio MAJ
The Paul Peterson Company Marietta, Ohio MAJ
Axe Tree Service Columbus, Ohio MAJ
M.P. Dory Co. Marysville, Ohio MAJ
W.L. Markers, Inc. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
U.S. Utility Contractor Company Columbus, Ohio WBE
Follow the River Designs LLC McConnelsville, Ohio MBE
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
The contract compliance number for Strawser Paving Co, Inc. is CC 006114 and expires 1/17/2025.
3. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Strawser Paving Co, Inc. and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
A portion of the funding for this project has been received by the City in the amount of $1,888,996.50 from the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority in Fund 7766, the Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund, Project P531043-100000 (Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road). It is necessary to amend the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget to establish sufficient budget authority for this project. The funds need to be appropriated.
The remaining balance of $330,000.00 is available in the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund, Fund 7771. A transfer of cash is necessary to align spending with the proper project. Funds will need to be appropriated.
5. MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
This contract was bid with a City of Columbus MBE/WBE Program goal of 11% as assigned by the City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). Failure by the contractor to meet this goal subjects the contractor to the Penalties for Non-Compliance as described in the “City’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise & Small Local Business Enterprise Program Manual” and in the “City of Columbus MBE/WBE Program Special Provision” that were part of the bid documents for this contract.
6. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to expedite this contract so that upcoming signal portion of this project may be governed by updated standards, policies, and practices, enhancing the safety of the traveling public.
Title
To amend the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds between projects within the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund; to appropriate funds within the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund and the Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into contract with Strawser Paving Co, Inc. for the Roadway - West Broad Street and Doherty Road project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,218,996.50 from the Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund and the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund for the project; to refund any unused construction, construction inspection, and administration funds upon final acceptance of work; and to declare an emergency. ($2,218,996.50)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is engaged in the Roadway - West Broad Street and Doherty Road project; and
WHEREAS, the work for this project consists of reconstruction of Doherty Road and reconstruction of part of West Broad Street. The existing grass median on West Broad Street will be partially removed to provide an eastbound left turn lane at Doherty Road. A southbound left turn lane will be added to Doherty Road at West Broad Street. The improvements also include concrete curbs, sidewalks, shared use path, storm sewer, a new traffic signal; and other work as may be necessary to complete the contract in accordance with the plans and specifications set forth in the Bid Submittal Documents; and
WHEREAS, Strawser Paving Co, Inc. will be awarded the contract for the Roadway - West Broad Street and Doherty Road project; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for the Roadway - West Broad Street and Doherty Road project for construction expense along with construction administration and inspection services; and
WHEREAS, Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority recently deposited funds with the City Treasurer to support the performance of construction, construction inspection, and administration; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget to establish authority within the correct project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize a transfer of funds within Fund 7771, the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund, to establish sufficient cash to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund and the Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of up to $2,218,996.50 from the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund and the Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund for this contract; and
WHEREAS, this contract opportunity was submitted to the City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) for review and assignment of an MBE/WBE goal prior to bidding; and
WHEREAS, this contract was bid with a City of Columbus MBE/WBE Program goal of 11% as assigned by the City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI); and
WHEREAS, failure by the contractor to meet this goal subjects the contractor to the Penalties for Non-Compliance; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Strawser Paving Co, Inc. to ensure the safety of the travelling public by ensuring the upcoming signal portion of this project may be governed by updated standards, policies, and practices, 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 2024 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1907-2024 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /C.I.B. as Amended
7766 / P531043-100000 / Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road (Street & Highway Imp Carryover) / $0.00 / $1,888,997.00 / $1,888,997.00 (to match cash)
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $330,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7771 (Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund), from Dept-Div 4402 (Economic Development ), Project P771011-100000 (Big Darby - Crown Pointe), Object Class 99 (Intrafund Transfer) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P531043-100000 (Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road), Object Class 99 (Intrafund Transfer) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the sum of $1,888,996.50 is appropriated in Fund 7766 (Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P531043-100000 (Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the sum of $330,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 7771 (Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P531043-100000 (Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to enter into a construction services contract with Strawser Paving Co, Inc., 1595 Frank Road, Columbus, Ohio 43223, for the Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road project in the amount of up to $1,999,095.95 in accordance with the specifications and plans on file in the Office of Support Services, which are hereby approved; and to pay for necessary construction administration and inspection costs associated with the project up to a maximum of $219,900.55.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $330,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7771 (Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P531043-100000 (Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the expenditure of $1,888,996.50, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7766 (Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P531043-100000 (Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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 9. 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 10. 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 11. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to, as necessary, 1) refund the unexpended balance of funds deposited with the City Treasurer by Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority to support the performance of construction, construction inspection, and administration services necessary to the successful completion of the Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road project after final accounting for the project is complete or upon certification from the Department of Public Service that any funds remaining on deposit are not needed and can be returned to Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority, or 2) accept additional funds from Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority to support the aforementioned services should the actual cost thereof exceed the sum referenced in preceding sections.
SECTION 12. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate any additional funds that the City may receive from Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority through November 13, 2026 for construction, construction inspection, and administration services relative to the Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road project.
SECTION 13. 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.