Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water & Power to enter into a professional services contract through the City’s RFP process with Resource International, Inc. for the Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements Project, CIP 690236-100182, in an amount up to $455,320.67.
The purpose of this project is to construct necessary improvements to the water distribution system in the Cherry Hill Drive Area. The improvements identified in the scope of work will replace or rehabilitate water lines that have high break histories and require frequent maintenance. This project includes replacing or rehabilitating approximately 10,260 linear feet of 2-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch water lines, transferring existing services, and replacing private lead service lines. The streets include Red Coach Lane, Weskit Drive (North), Boor Avenue, Weskit Drive (south), Kings Charter Road, Olde Orchard Court, Harvest Lane Court, McNaughten Road, Cherry Hill Drive, Chinaberry Drive, 2nd Alley North of Effingham Road, Cummington Court, Cummington Road, Cummington Place, and Old Farm Court.
This project is located within the following Community Planning Area: 58-Far East
TIMELINE: The duration of the design phase for this project is 14 months. It is estimated that the end of this agreement will occur in February 2028.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The negotiated amount and proposed award amount is $455,320.67, including a 10% construction contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. No contract modifications are anticipated at this time; however, design exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $455,320.67
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $455,320.67
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
The goal of this project is to replace or rehabilitate the existing water lines that have a high break frequency. Replacement of these water lines will improve water service, decrease burden on water maintenance operations, and reduce water loss. The Neighborhood Liaison(s) will be contacted and informed of this project during the design phase. Further community outreach may result through the Neighborhood Liaison Program.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from April 17, 2026, through May 15, 2026. Five proposals were received:
Name Contract Compliance Exp. Date City/State Status
Ribway Engineering Group CC005279 11-21-2026 Columbus, OH MBE
Resource International CC004197 2-10-2028 Columbus, OH WBE
Prime AE Group, Inc CC002102 2-25-2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
GPD Group CC006560 6-23-2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
DLZ CC004939 7-22-2026 Columbus, OH MBE
Note: This RFP included 3 projects, and the top 3 ranked firms were selected for these projects. All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements project to be awarded to Resource International, Inc.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Resource International, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC004197 and expires 2/10/2028.
As part of their proposal, Resource International, Inc., has proposed the following subconsultants to perform contract work:
Name Contract Compliance Exp. Date City/State Status
Gresham Smith CC009789 5/6/2028 Columbus, OH MAJ
Ribway Engineering Group, Inc. CC005279 10/1/2026 Columbus, OH MBE
Kucera International, Inc. CC006457 1/16/2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
The certifications of Resource International, Inc. and all subconsultants, were in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the construction contract will be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program. City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of loan funding via Ordinance 0341-2026, passed by Council on 3/2/2026. Ordinance 0341-2026 also authorized the Director of Columbus Water & Power to add to or subtract from the anticipated loans listed in that ordinance. 690236-100182 was listed in that ordinance without a project name. Even though Ordinance 0341-2026 stated projects can be added to or subtracted from the list without further City Council approval, OWDA requires an ordinance specifically listing Council’s approval for each project. This ordinance will request that approval. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA September Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan application. Columbus Water & Power will inform the Auditor’s Office when this loan is approved.
The OWDA Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established to Resource International, Inc., for this contract. Columbus Water & Power will need to pay invoices directly to Resource International, Inc. and then submit reimbursement requests based upon these paid invoices to OWDA for OWDA to reimburse Columbus Water & Power.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014.
Title
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to enter into a professional services contract with Resource International, Inc. for the Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to apply for and accept a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program for the Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements project; to appropriate funds within the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon approval of a loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $455,320.67 from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund. ($455,320.67)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Water & Power is engaged in the Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, five proposals for the Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements project were received and opened on May 15, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended Resource International, Inc. be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0341-2026 authorized this contract to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program; and
WHEREAS, the Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements Project was not specifically listed as a project to be loan funded on Ordinance 0341-2026 and this ordinance will ask for authorization to loan fund it; and
WHEREAS, a loan application has been submitted to OWDA to finance this project; and
WHEREAS, the loan is scheduled to be approved by the Ohio Water Development Authority Board at their September Board meeting; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to align budget authority for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, to pay for the services Resource International, Inc. provides under this contract; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of Columbus Water & Power to authorize the Director to enter into a professional services contract with Resource International, Inc. for the Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements project; and
NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvements 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
6014 / 690236-100182 / Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements project (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $455,321.00 / $455,321.00 (To match loan amount)
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $455,320.67, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Water - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6014, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Columbus Water & Power be and hereby is authorized to enter into a contract for professional engineering services for the Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements project, CIP 690236-100182, with Resource International, Inc., 6350 Presidential Gateway Columbus, Ohio 43231; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file with Columbus Water & Power.
SECTION 4. That City Council authorizes the Director of Columbus Water & Power to submit loan applications and accept loan funding for the Cherry Hill Drive Area Water Line Improvements project, and this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $455,320.67, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this contract per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.