Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a contract with Coldwater Consulting, LLC for professional engineering services for the Lower Olentangy Watershed Stream Restorations project, CIP #650870-139251, in an amount up to $684,119.08.
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Division of Sewerage and Drainage (DOSD) initiated Capital Improvement Project 650870-139251 to request proposals to solicit engineering services for the reduction of sedimentation and TSS via stream restorations in the Lower Olentangy Watershed. This RFP is part of the integrated planning approach in the wet weather management program, Blueprint Columbus (Blueprint), to address Ohio EPA’s consent order for sanitary sewer overflow. Blueprint also committed to reduce total suspended solids (TSS) by 20% from the Blueprint project areas.
Community Planning Area: 39 - Clintonville
TIMELINE: It is expected that the total term of the engineering agreement will be 3 years.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The proposed award amount is $684,119.08, including a 10% contingency amount that will be utilized to fund needed and approved changes in the work. Future contract modifications are not anticipated.
Original Contract $684,119.08
CONTRACT TOTAL $684,119.08
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project is part of the City’s 2015 revised wet weather management plan to address sanitary sewer overflows to the nearby streams and to capture 20% total suspended solids (TSS) within the project boundaries. This project will evaluate, design and construct multiple stream restorations to assist in the capture of TSS and which will also repair and re-establish the stream banks.
3. BID INFORMATION
This project was formally advertised on the Vendor Services and Bonfire websites from 1/10/2025 through 2/7/2025. Three proposals were received:
Name C.C. No. Exp. Date City/State Status
Coldwater Consulting, LLC CC-003198 12/24/2026 Columbus, OH WBE
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. CC-000462 7/26/2025 Columbus, OH MAJ
HGS LLC CC-051651 2/7/2027 Columbus, OH MAJ
All proposals were deemed responsive. The evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and recommended the contract for the Lower Olentangy Watershed Stream Restorations project be awarded to Coldwater Consulting, LLC
Coldwater Consulting, LLC’s certification was in good standing at the time of the contract award.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Coldwater Consulting, LLC’s contract compliance number is CC-003198 and expires 12/24/26. Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Coldwater Consulting, LLC
As part of their proposal, Coldwater Consulting, LLC has proposed using the following sub-consultants to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Cert. Status
EMH&T Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Hazen and Sawyer Columbus, Ohio MAJ
S&ME, Inc. Columbus, Ohio MAJ
DHDC Engineering Consulting Services, Inc. Columbus, Ohio MBE
The certification of Coldwater Consulting, LLC and the above companies was in good standing at the time of the contract modification.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
This project is anticipated to be financed with a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF). The WPCLF program is jointly administered by the Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance and the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). City Council authorized this loan application and acceptance of funding via Ordinance 2720-2024 passed by Council on 10/28/2024. This loan is expected to be approved in July of 2025. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA. An amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to show the actual loan amount. Funds will need to be appropriated and expended in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract with Coldwater Consulting, LLC for the Lower Olentangy Watershed Stream Restorations project; to authorize an amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation of funds within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $684,119.08 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund for the contract. ($684,119.08)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities is engaged in the Lower Olentangy Watershed Stream Restorations project; and
WHEREAS, three proposals for the Lower Olentangy Watershed Stream Restorations project were received and evaluated by the evaluation committee; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation committee recommended Coldwater Consulting, LLC be awarded the contract for this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract with Coldwater Consulting, LLC for the Lower Olentangy Watershed Stream Restorations project; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2720-2024 authorized this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF); and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, funds must be appropriated within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111, to pay for the contracted services for the project; 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 budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6111 / 650870-139251 / Lower Olentangy Watershed Stream Restorations (WPCLF) / $0.00 / $684,120.00 / $684,120.00 (To match loan amount)
SECTION 2. 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, 2025, the sum of $684,119.08 is appropriated in Fund 6111 (Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund), per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a professional services and construction services contract for the Lower Olentangy Watershed Stream Restorations project with Coldwater Consulting, LLC, 995 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43206, in an amount up to $684,119.08, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 4. That Ordinance 2720-2024 authorized this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Loan Account and this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $684,119.08, 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. That 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 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 9. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.