Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This Ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase the professional engineering services contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc., for the Plum Ridge Integrated Solutions project, CIP #650870-158191, in an amount up to $384,002.21, to pay for professional engineering services.
This contract provides engineering services for the CIP 650870-158191 Plum Ridge Integrated Solutions project through the completion of construction. The purpose of this project is to mitigate, reduce, and eliminate water in basement occurrences to the 10-year level of service and bring sanitary sewer overflows and combined sewer overflows to the typical year occurrence. This project will utilize green infrastructure to address surface runoff generated from the other three pillars of Blueprint (lateral lining, downspout redirection and sump pumps). The green infrastructure will treat and attenuate the runoff improving the water quality and reducing the peak flow to a receiving stream. The project will also include closed circuit televising of the storm sewers within the project limits to assist in evaluating the hydraulics of the existing storm sewer system. This modification will provide funding to perform stream restoration design and inflow redirection design.
The Community Planning Area for this project is 58-Far East.
1.1 Future Renewals/Modifications: The contract will be modified as needed to continue design services until construction is complete.
1.2 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $384,002.21.
Cost summary:
Original Contract (ORD 3163-2019; PO220443) $749,855.62
Modification #1 (current) $384,002.21
CONTRACT TOTAL $1,133,857.83
1.3. Reason other procurement processes are not used: This is a planned modification to add funding to perform services included under a contract awarded through the City’s Request for Proposal process.
1.4. How the cost of renewal was determined: The cost proposal was provided by Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc., reviewed by the Division of Sewerage and Drainage and was deemed acceptable. The fees in the proposal are based upon contract pricing already established for job titles, tasks, and allowable expenses for the contract.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT
This project includes the design and services related to tasks identified in the 2015 and 2025 wet weather management plan. The goals of the wet weather management plan are to mitigate, reduce, and eliminate the water-in-basement (WIB) occurrences to the 10-year level of service and bring CSO and SSO to the typical year.
3. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC-004214 and expires 10/17/27.
As part of their proposal, Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. has proposed using the following sub-consultant to perform contract work:
Company Name City/State ODI Cert. Status
Stantec Consulting Services Miamisburg, Ohio MAJ
The certifications of Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. and the above company were in good standing at the time of the contract modification.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested so construction can begin as soon as possible to reduce sewer back-up in basements and sewer overflow related flooding.
5. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract modification will be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program. City Council authorized this loan via Ordinance 0341-2026, passed by Council on 3/2/2026. This loan is expected to be approved at the OWDA July Board meeting. This ordinance is contingent upon the OWDA Board approving the loan application. The Department of Public Utilities will inform the Auditor’s Office when this loan is approved.
The Ohio Water Development Authority Direct Loan Program is a reimbursement program. Purchase orders will need to be established for Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. for this contract. Public Utilities will need to pay invoices directly to Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. and then submit reimbursement requests based upon these paid invoices to OWDA for OWDA to reimburse Public Utilities.
The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the proper project for the loan amount. Funds will need to be appropriated in the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6124.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to modify and increase a professional engineering services contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. for the Plum Ridge Integrated Solutions project; to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds in the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; to authorize an expenditure of up to $384,002.21 from the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund to pay for the contract modification; and to declare an emergency. ($384,002.21)
Body
WHEREAS, there is an existing professional engineering services contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. for the Plum Ridge Integrated Solutions project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a modification to the contract to increase the dollar amount of the contract to fund continued design of the project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0341-2026 authorized this modification to be funded by a loan to be obtained through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Direct Loan Program; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent upon the loan being approved; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds in the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund; and
WHEREAS, funds must be expended to pay for services provided under this contract modification; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services contract modification with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc. for the Plum Ridge Integrated Solutions project so construction can begin as soon as possible to reduce sewer back-up in basements and sewer overflow related flooding, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; 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
6124 / 650870-158191 / Plum Ridge Integrated Solutions (OWDA Direct Loan) / $0.00 / $384,003.00 / $384,003.00 (To match loan)
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $384,002.21, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in the Sanitary - Fresh Water Market Rate Fund, Fund 6124, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance is contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for the Plum Ridge Integrated Solutions project, CIP 650870-158191.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to modify and increase the professional engineering services contract with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc., 1907 Leonard Ave, Columbus, Ohio, 43219, for the Plum Ridge Integrated Solutions project, in an amount up to $384,002.21.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $384,002.21, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to pay for this contract modification 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 for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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.