Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management to enter into a contract with Bridgewell Resources LLC for the purchase of utility poles on behalf of the Department of Public Service, Division of Design and Construction. The Division of Design and Construction will use the utility poles for the Wheatland Avenue Improvements project in an amount up to $112,852.00.
The Department of Public Service is engaged in the improvements on North Wheatland Avenue from Broad Street to Glenview Boulevard. Improvements will consist of converting the roadway to two-way traffic and needed widening to provide for a parking lane on the west side. Improvements include of new curbs, sidewalks, storm sewer, electric distribution relocation, and street lighting.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements, it is sometimes necessary to relocate aerial utilities in the project. Due to this project there is a need to relocate them at the City's expense and allow Bridgewell Resources LLC to acquire the utility poles needed for the project.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
The contract compliance number for Bridgewell Resources LLC is CC002964 and is currently inactive. The contract compliance requirement will be fulfilled by the time council reads the ordinance.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this expense is available and appropriated within Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund. An amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget and a transfer of cash is required to establish sufficient budget authority for the project.
4. REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS
A request for waiver of the formal competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 is requested for this purchase so that the Division of Design and Construction can proceed with the Wheatland Avenue Improvement construction schedule without delay. The purchase of utility poles typically has a long turnaround time which causes delay in construction schedules. It is in the best interest of the City to proceed with ordering poles from Bridgewell Resources since their turn around time for delivery is six weeks.
5. MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
This expenditure is for a goods purchase and is exempt from the MBE/WBE program.
6. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested to provide funding for utility poles as a part of the Wheatland Avenue Improvements projects to avoid delay in the construction schedule.
Title
To amend the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of funds within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Bridgewell Resources LLC for purchase of utility poles for the Wheatland Avenue Improvements project; to authorize the waiver of the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of up to $112,852.00 for utility pole costs for the project from the Streets & Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($112,852.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is concerned with the use of the various rights-of-way areas in the City as such rights-of-way areas represent a valuable and limited resource that must be utilized to promote the public health, safety and welfare, including the economic development of the City; and
WHEREAS, in the course of effecting roadway improvements, it is sometimes necessary to relocate aerial utilities in the project; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for utility pole expenses for the Wheatland Avenue Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Finance and Management is authorized to enter into a contract with Bridgewell Resources LLC, on behalf of the Department of Public Service, for the purchase of utility poles for the Wheatland Avenue Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize a waiver of the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code to procure this equipment; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $112,852.00 for the purpose of purchasing utility poles; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget to provide sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize a transfer of funds within Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, to establish sufficient cash to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to enter into contract with Bridgewell Resources LLC for purchase of utility poles for the Wheatland Avenue Improvements project to prevent construction delays and to maintain the project construction schedule, 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 2023 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1711-2023 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /C.I.B. as Amended
7704 / P440005-100000 / UIRF - Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund (Voted Carryover) / $663,342.00 / ($112,852.00) / $550,490.00
7704 / P530303-100002 / Wheatland Avenue Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $3,453,732.00 / $112,852.00 / $3,566,584.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $112,852.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5911 (Infrastructure Management), Project P440005-100000 (UIRF - Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P530303-100002 (Wheatland Avenue Improvements), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) between projects per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Finance and Management be and hereby is authorized to pay for utility poles for the Wheatland Avenue Improvements project to Bridgewell Resources LLC, 2 Centerpointe Drive, Suite 600, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 in an amount of up to $112,852.00.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $112,852.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), in Dept-Div 5912 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P530303-100002 (Wheatland Avenue Improvements), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That City Council finds it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to waive the formal competitive bidding requirements of City Code Chapter 329.
SECTION 6. 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 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 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 (10) days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this ordinance.