Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. to provide professional services associated with the Three Creeks Wetland Restoration Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $25,800.00.
Three Creeks Park is a 1,097 acre park in the Far South Community and is jointly managed by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and Franklin County Metro Parks. Three Creeks Park was historically farmed, but wetlands have been developing over the past decade as the land has naturally converted from agricultural use. It is important that the Recreation and Parks Department restores the wetlands at Three Creeks Park, as approximately 90 percent of all wetlands in Ohio have been lost. Wetlands improve water quality, provide flood control, serve as critical habitat for a variety of wildlife, and capture carbon dioxide.
After the initial scope of design services was negotiated with the consultant and submitted to Council for approval, the Recreation and Parks Department received a notice from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources requiring a Phase 1 archaeological survey for two locations on the project site. The State Historic Preservation Office identified two pre-contact American Indian sites that need to be mapped within the project area before preliminary engineering can begin. This study must be completed as a requirement to utilize the grant funding for construction.
Principal Parties:
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
250 West Old Wilson Bridge Road, Suite 250
Worthington, OH 43085
Bradley Petru, (614) 540-6633
Contract Compliance Number: 001963
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: 6/11/26
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order complete the design plans and bid the construction project on schedule, meeting the grant funding deadline of March 31, 2026.
Benefits to the Public: This project will improve water quality, flood controls, and serve as a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. It will also provide access to additional recreation for the community.
Community Input/Issues: The community, Far South Area Commission, and the Williams Creek HOA has expressed support for the wetland restoration and will continue to be involved during the design phase of the project.
Area(s) Affected: Far South (64)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by conserving, protecting, and enhancing the City’s natural resources and overall environmental health, benefiting current and future generations of residents.
Fiscal Impact: The expenditure of $156,843.35 was legislated for professional services in conjunction with the Three Creeks Restoration Project by Ordinance 0723-2024. This ordinance will provide funding that will modify the previously authorized amount by $25,800.00. $25,800.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 to meet the financial obligations of this contract modification. The aggregate total amount authorized, including this modification, is $182,643.35.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. for the Three Creeks Wetland Restoration Project; to authorize the appropriation of $25,800.00 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the transfer of $25,800.00 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $25,800.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($25,800.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with Civil & Engineering Consultants, Inc. to provide professional services associated with the Three Creeks Wetland Restoration Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $25,800.00 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $25,800.00 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $25,800.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond 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 modify an existing contract with Civil & Engineering Consultants, Inc. in order complete the design plans and bid the construction project on schedule, meeting the grant funding deadline 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 Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to modify an existing contract with Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. for the Three Creeks Restoration Project in order to expand upon the scope of existing services in the contract namely to include an archaeological survey. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $25,800.00.
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 $25,800.00 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 $25,800.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $25,800.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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.