Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with OHM Advisors for the Tree Nursery Relocation Project. The contract amount being authorized by this ordinance is $97,000.00.
The current 45 acre City of Columbus tree nursery, operated by the Recreation and Parks Department, is located on city property managed by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). DPU is expanding their adjacent Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant with construction to begin in 2027. As a result, the Recreation and Parks Department will lose access to this location. The current site provides space to grow over 11,000 trees. It also has related infrastructure, including irrigation and greenhouses. In order to continue growing trees for installation throughout the city, the Recreation and Parks Department will need to relocate the nursery and staff. The planning and design of a new nursery needs to begin immediately so that it is ready for operations when the existing nursery needs to be vacated. This will also allow the newly planted trees at the existing nursery to be of the appropriate transplant size in approximately three years when they will need to be relocated.
The proposed sites for the relocation of the nursery are Three Creeks Park or an alternative site that better meets specific operational and environmental criteria. The nursery relocation will progress as planned, with a target plant-out date of fall 2025. The location will be selected based on its suitability for tree growth, logistical considerations, and compliance with city regulations. This project will determine the areas and infrastructure necessary for the new tree nursery. The project will also include fencing to deter animals from damaging the trees and an irrigation system to keep the trees watered. There will also be efforts to delineate and protect wetlands at this site, if applicable. There will be future phases to this project that will include design for forestry staff and equipment facilities.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status): Proposals were advertised to firms that were pre-qualified through the bi-annual Request for Statement of Qualification (RSFQ) process, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on July 29, 2024 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on August 16, 2024. Request for proposals were received by the following companies:
OHM Advisors (MAJ)
CAP Stone (WBE)
Of note, professional services contracts are quality based selections and not based on price. Costs were not requested nor were they part of this evaluation.
In accordance with City Code, a selection team evaluated the proposals and recommended OHM Advisors be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline, and project approach.
As part of their bid, OHM Advisors has proposed the following vendors to fulfill the Office of Diversity and Inclusion project goal:
CTL Engineering (MBE)
Certification of the MBE’s and WBE’s being proposed are in good standing at the time the bid is being awarded.
Principal Parties:
OHM Advisors
580 North 4th Street, Suite 610
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Tony Slanec, (614) 474-1109
Contract Compliance Number: 007505
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: October 16, 2025
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so that the Recreation and Parks Department can vacate the existing nursery by 2027 Public Utilities property by 2027 and not interrupt nursery operations.
Benefits to the Public: Moving the city nursery to a new location will allow for a continued and improved tree planting program which supports the Urban Forestry Master Plan.
Community Input/Issues: This project will support the day to day operations of the Forestry Section staff at the City Nursery, allowing trees to be efficiently planted, grown, and maintained. Trees enhance the quality of life of our citizens by cleaning our air, reducing heat, and absorbing storm water.
Area(s) Affected: Far South (64)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by allowing the department the ability to plant trees and support the growth of the Urban Tree Canopy.
Fiscal Impact: $97,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with OHM Advisors for the Nursery Relocation Project; to authorize the transfer of $97,000.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $97,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($97,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with OHM Advisors for the Tree Nursery Relocation Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $97,000.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1907-2024 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $97,000.00 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 authorize the Director to enter into contract with OHM Advisors so that the Recreation and Parks Department can vacate the existing nursery by 2027 and not interrupt nursery operations, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with OHM Advisors for the Tree Nursery Relocation Project.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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 5. That the transfer of $97,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1907-2024 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current Revised Authority / Current Remaining Authority / Change / Amended Revised Authority / Amended Remaining Authority
Fund 7702 / P514004-100000 / Program Projects (Small) - Rental Services Misc. (Voted Carryover) / $97,000 / $97,000 / ($97,000) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P512050-100000 / Tree Nursery Relocation (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $97,000 / $97,000 / $97,000
SECTION 7. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $97,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.