Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into an agreement with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation for necessary renovations to the fountain in Bicentennial Park. The agreement will provide for investigation, recommendations and repair of the AEP Fountain that is located within Bicentennial Park.
Background: The fountain was originally installed in 2010 as part of the Scioto Mile project that renovated and developed parkland along the Scioto River in downtown Columbus. These repairs are necessary in order to address leaks that have occurred in the fountains piping systems and to make repairs to associated concrete infrastructure. The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) will manage the investigation to determine the cause of the leaks, prepare a scope of work to complete any necessary repairs and create a project schedule. It is the goal of the Recreation and Parks Department to complete this restoration by June 1, 2016 so that the fountain will be operational for summer 2016 programming in Bicentennial Park. The department understands that it may be necessary to perform the work in phases to insure the repairs are properly made and the impact on the public’s enjoyment of the fountain is minimized.
This agreement furthers the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by continuing the existing operational standards of a Special Use Park. It will also improve the efficiency of water usage at the fountain.
The fountain at Bicentennial Park serves as the centerpiece for some of the City’s most vital downtown programming including the Columbus Arts Festival, Rhythm on the River, the FountainSide series and the Grand Illumination. It is also the setting for notable collaborations with partners such as the Columbus Jazz Orchestra/Jazz Arts Group and BalletMet Columbus.
Columbus Recreation and Parks is providing $150,000.00 toward the restoration of the fountains. If additional funding is necessary to complete the necessary repairs, a future ordinance will be submitted to City Council for approval.
Principal Parties:
Columbus Downtown Development Corporation
Guy Worley
150 South Front Street, Suite 210
Columbus, OH 43215
Emergency Justification: Emergency legislation is requested so that work can be completed by June 1, 2016, thereby ensuring that the community is able to enjoy the fountain during the summer 2016 season.
Fiscal Impact: $150,000.00 is budgeted and available in the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation for necessary renovations to the fountain in Bicentennial Park; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and to declare an emergency ($150,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation for necessary renovations to the fountain in Bicentennial Park; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract so any necessary work on the fountain is complete by June 1, 2016; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. The Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation for necessary renovations to the fountain in Bicentennial Park.
SECTION 2. The expenditure of $150,000.00 is authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $150,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment.
SECTION 7. 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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.