Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water & Power to enter into a construction contract with Claypool Electric Inc, for Division of Water Reclamation for the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant (JPWRP) Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project, CIP #650257-100101, in an amount up to $20,592,000.00; and to encumber funds with the Columbus Power & Water for construction administration and inspection (prevailing wage) services in an amount up to $2,000.00, for a total expenditure of $20,594,000.00.
This project is to replace aging electrical equipment that supports critical Plant operations and improves the safety, reliability, and performance of the electrical distribution system. The improvements will reduce arc-flash hazards, improve protective-device coordination, address equipment withstand concerns, and allow electrical faults to be isolated more effectively while maintaining operation of unaffected equipment.
The Community Area for this ordinance will be 99- Citywide.
TIMELINE: Contract work is required to be completed in a manner acceptable to the City within 1277 days from the date that a Notice to Proceed (NTP) is given by the City. Work will continue until the project is completed and accepted by the City.
ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT: The bid amount and proposed award amount is $20,592,000.00, 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, construction exigency might later compel modification of this contract, if unforeseen difficulties are encountered.
Cost summary:
Original Contract $20,592,000.00
Future Anticipated Needs $ 0.00
Prevailing Wage Services $ 2,000.00
CONTRACT TOTAL $20,594,000.00
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project aims to improve system reliability, reduce maintenance and improve safety for city maintenance personnel.
3. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD
An Invitation for Bids for the Division of Water Reclamation for JPWRP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project was advertised on the Vendor Services and Bid Express websites from 7/21/26 through 9/2/26. Two bids were received for the project and were opened on 9/2/26. The following companies submitted a bid:
Name Bid Anoubt C.C. No./Exp. Date Status
Claypool Electric, Inc. $20,592,000.00 CC004366/2/17/2028 WBE
Roberts Service Group $27,794,800.00 CC004397/6/18/2028 WBE
Claypool Electric, Inc. bid was deemed the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid in the amount of.
The certification of Claypool Electric, Inc was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
4. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Claypool Electric, Inc. contract compliance number is CC004366 and expires 2/17/28.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Claypool Electric, Inc.
Claypool Electric, Inc. listed the following companies as subcontractors for this project:
Company Name City/State ODI Certification Status
U. S. Utility Contractors Lancaster, Ohio WBE
Pummell Breanda DBA Pummell Construction Hillard, Ohio MBE
Able Fence Columbus, Ohio MAJ
Atlas Industrial Contractors Columbus, Ohio MAJ
The certification of Claypool Electric, Inc and of the above companies was in good standing at the time the bid was awarded.
5. PRE-QUALIFICATION STATUS
Claypool Electric, Inc and all subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
6. FISCAL IMPACT
The construction portion of this project is anticipated to be financed with a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF), a program 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 3119-2025, passed by Council on 12/15/25. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA October Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved by OWDA. The Columbus Water & Power will inform the Auditor's Office when this loan has been approved. The WPCLF program is a reimbursement loan. The City will pay invoices for the work and then submit the paid invoices to OWDA for reimbursement. The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. Funds must also be appropriated in the WPCLF Loan Fund, Fund 6111.
Funding in the amount of $2,000.00 is appropriated and available within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to pay the Department of Public Service to provide prevailing wage services for this project. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to align budget authority with the proper project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a construction contract with Claypool Electric, Inc, for the Jackson Pike Water Reclamation Plant Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate 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 $20,594,000.00 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund and the Sanitary Bond Fund to pay for the project. ($20,594,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Water & Power is engaged in the JPWRP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, two bids for the JPWRP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project were received and opened on 9/2/26; and
WHEREAS, the lowest, best, most responsive and responsible bid was from Claypool Electric, Inc; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3119-2025 authorized this project to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) Loan Account; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon that loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; 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 to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds from the Sanitary Bond Fund to provide for payment of prevailing wage services associated with said project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary in the daily operation of the Columbus Water & Power to authorize the Director of Columbus Water & Power to enter into a construction contract with Claypool Electric, Inc for the JPWRP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements project; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvement 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
6111 / 650257-100101 / JPWRP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements (WPCLF Loan) / $5,670,000.00 / $26,262,000.00 / $20,592,000.00 (To match the loan amount)
6109 / 650354-100000 / SWWTP Post Aeration Diffuser Replacement (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $5,739.00 / $3,739.00 / ($2,000.00)
6109 / 650257-100101 / JPWRP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $0.00 / $2,000.00 / $2,000.00
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $20,594,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund, Fund 6111, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority's Board approving the loan for this project.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Columbus Water & Power is hereby authorized to enter into a construction contract for the JPWRP Power System Upgrades and Safety Improvements with Claypool Electric, Inc, 1275 Lancaster Kirkersville Road SW, Lancaster, Ohio 43130; in an amount up $20,594,000.00; in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract on file in the Columbus Water & Power; and to obtain the necessary prevailing wage services for this project from the Columbus Water & Power in an amount up to $2,000.00.
SECTION 5. That a transfer of appropriations and funds of up to $2,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109 to pay for the prevailing wage services.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $20,594,000.00, 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.