Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Jess Howard Electric Company for the Sammons Lighting Improvements project. The contract amount is $241,477.00, with alternates of $357,304.00 and a contingency of $50,000.00, for a total of $648,781.00. An additional $2,500.00 is being authorized for interdepartmental inspections and fees for a total of $651,281.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
Sammons Park is located at 2877 Groveport Road in Columbus. The park is primarily a baseball and softball facility and includes five fields. This project is a continuation of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s annual efforts to improve safety and security lighting throughout park facilities. The project also supports ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing lighting systems. This project will improve the existing lighting at Field 1. It will also install new lighting and supporting infrastructure at Field 5. New security lighting will be installed at the park entrance to increase safety for park visitors.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status):
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on January 20, 2026 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on February 10, 2026. Bids were received from the following companies:
Jess Howard Electric Company: $241.477.00
Proline Electric Inc.: $268.044.00
Roberts Service Group: $442,335.00
After reviewing the bids that were submitted, it was determined that Jess Howard Electric Company was the lowest and most responsive bidder. Jess Howard Electric Company and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to prequalification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
Principal Parties:
Jess Howard Electric Company
6630 Taylor Road
Blacklick, Ohio, 43004
Jess Howard, (614) 861-1300
Contract Compliance Number: 006108
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: August 29, 2027
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow the lighting improvements to be completed as soon as possible in order to improve safety and visibility for park users at the earliest opportunity.
Benefits to the Public: Improved lighting will make recreational areas safer and more accessible for park users. Enhanced lighting will increase visibility, help prevent accidents, and deter crime in public spaces. The project supports the City’s commitment to providing safe, well maintained, and affordable recreational facilities for the community. These improvements will allow more people to safely use the park and its outdoor amenities during evening hours.
Community Input/Issues: Community input for this improvement project was gathered through field staff observations and area commission meetings. Input was also gathered from local and national sports organizations. These efforts help ensure park improvements reflect community needs.
Area(s) Affected: Far South (64)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by expanding amenities and by maximizing the use of existing recreational facilities for enhanced programming and offerings.
Fiscal Impact: $651,281.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7712 and Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Jess Howard Electric Company for the Sammons Lighting Improvements Project; to authorize the appropriation of $226,462.51 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the transfer of $501,281.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund and Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $651,281.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund and Permanent Improvement Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($651,281.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Jess Howard Electric Company for the Sammons Lighting Improvements Construction Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $226,462.51 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $501,281.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted
Bond Fund 7712 and Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; 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 $651,281.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7712 and Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Jess Howard Electric Company to allow the lighting improvements to be completed as soon as possible in order to improve safety and visibility for park users at the earliest opportunity, all for the 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 Director of the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract Jess Howard Electric Company for the Sammons Lighting Improvements Project.
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 appropriation of $226,462.51 is authorized within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the transfer of $501,281.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7712 and Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 7747 / P514023-100000 / Sammons Sports Park Improvements 2023-2024 (Carryover) / $0 / ($90,970) / $90,970 / $90,970 / $0 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P517007-100000 / Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center - Interior Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $1,500,000 / $580,463 / ($274,818) / $1,225,182 / $305,645
Fund 7747 / P510764-100000 / CC Far South - Parkland Dedication (Carryover) / $226,463 / $226,463 / ($226,463) / $0 / $0
Fund 7712 / P514023-100000 / Sammons Sports Park Improvements 2023-2024 (Voted Carryover) / $150,000 / $150,000 / $274,818 / $424,818 / $424,818
Fund 7747 / P514023-100000 / Sammons Sports Park Improvements 2023-2024 (Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $226,463 / $226,463 / $226,463
SECTION 8. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $651,281.00 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 7712 and Permanent Improvement Fund 7747, in object class 06 Capital Outlay, per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 9. That this ordinance, for the reasons stated in the preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance and fully incorporated for reference as if rewritten, is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after this ordinance’s passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.