Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes: 1) the Director of Public Service to enter into contracts to purchase items needed as authorized for the Mobility Quick Build Toolkit grant, such as paints, marking tape, temporary curbs, and bike counters, by the Department of Public Service, Division of Mobility & Parking Services, 2) the Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of the Director of Public Service, to associate all General Budget Reservations resulting from this ordinance with appropriate Universal Term Contract Purchase Agreements for the purchase of paint and marking tape, and 3) the encumbrance and expenditure of up to $224,989.00 to facilitate the purchase of the same.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) hosted a Pedestrian & Bicycle Special Solicitation in 2025 for projects that make walking and biking a safe, convenient, and accessible transportation option for all Ohioans.
Pursuant to Ordinance 1010-2025, the Department of Public Service submitted an application for ODOT’s consideration, with a focus on developing a Quick Build Toolkit designed to accelerate the planning and implementation of pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements. Quick Build projects use temporary materials that are reversible, adjustable, and can be installed quickly. This Toolkit is intended to support the implementation of two bike lane projects and two Vision Zero projects each year. The type of Quick Build is a Pilot project which will be implemented for a minimum of one month and a maximum of one year. The Toolkit includes materials such as temporary paint and pavement markings, traffic control materials like water barriers, cones, and temporary curbs, as well as MUTCD signs. Additionally, the Toolkit includes bike and pedestrian counters to measure the project’s effectiveness through pre- and post-project data collection. (This listing is meant to be illustrative and is believed to be accurate and complete; however, last minute project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service.)
On June 10, 2025, the Department of Public Service received a Notice to Proceed on the Quick Build Toolkit with a maximum of $582,027.00, that will be paid to the Department via reimbursement. Ordinance 3133-2025, passed on January 26, 2026, authorized the expenditure of $357,038.00 for purchases from several Universal Term Contracts (UTC) held by the City. The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Department of Public to contract with the following vendors for the purchase of additional items for the Toolkit: Ferguson Enterprises, PPG, Grainger, ULine, Terra Bound Solutions, White Cap Supply, EcoCounter, and MioVision.
The vendors listed above are not debarred according to the Excluded Party Listing System of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search. Some vendors’ contract compliance is not established, or has expired, so those vendors will need to become compliant prior to contract execution.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
This ordinance seeks approval for purchases from the following vendors: Ferguson Enterprises, PPG, Grainger, ULine, Terra Bound Solutions, White Cap Supply, EcoCounter, and MioVision. A reimbursement grant, G592511, has been established in Fund 7765, the Federal Transportation Grant Fund, relative to these and future purchases.
3. REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF FORMAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS
A request for waiver of the formal competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Code Chapter 329, specifically the provisions of 329.18(a) and 329.19(d)(1) is requested for this purchase so that the Division of Mobility and Parking Services can expedite purchases of the equipment prior to June 2026, as required by the grant agreement as is detailed in the bid waiver.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested so that the authorized expenditures can be made prior to the expiration of time-sensitive quotes, so as to avoid unnecessary delays in completing the planned mobility improvements.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to appropriate funds within the Federal Transportation Grant Fund in connection with the Quick Build Toolkit; to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into contracts to purchase paints, marking tape, temporary curbs, and bike counters for the Division of Mobility & Parking Services with Ferguson Enterprises, PPG, Grainger, ULine, Terra Bound Solutions, White Cap Supply, EcoCounter, and MioVision; to authorize the Director of Finance and Management to associate all General Budget reservations resulting from this ordinance with the appropriate Universal Term Contract Purchase Agreements for the purchase of paint and marking tape; to authorize the waiver of the competitive bidding provisions of Columbus City Code; to authorize the expenditure of up to $224,989.00 from the Federal Transportation Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($224,989.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) recently hosted a Pedestrian & Bicycle Special Solicitation for projects that make walking and biking a safe, convenient, and accessible transportation option for all Ohioans; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service submitted an application, and was approved for ODOT’s consideration, with a focus on data collection and demonstration projects; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service received approval of the Quick Build Toolkit proposal, to be reimbursed for a maximum of $582,027.00 for items purchased for the toolkit; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3133-2025 authorized the expenditure of $357,038.00 to purchase water barriers, cones, and traffic barrels from several Universal Term Contracts (UTC) held by the City; and
WHEREAS, this legislation seeks to authorize the purchase of other items, including paints, marking tape, temporary curbs, and bike counters, needed by the Department of Public Service, Division of Mobility & Parking Services; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of funds within 7765, Federal Transportation Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Office has established Universal Term Contract Purchase Agreements for paint and marking tape; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $224,989.00 for the remaining purchases for the Quick Build toolkit; and
WHEREAS, it is in the City's best interests to waive the competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 to procure this equipment due to the grant agreement requirement to be able to purchase the equipment prior to June 2026; 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 to make these expenditures as soon as reasonably practicable so as to make purchases within the timeline of the quotes provided and to prevent unnecessary delays in the completion of planned improvements, 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 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 ending December 31, 2026, the sum of up to $224,989.00 is appropriated in Fund 7765 (Federal Transportation Grant Fund), Dept-Div 5906 (Division of Mobility & Parking Services), Project G592511 (2025 Transportation Alternatives Program - Data Collection), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to enter into contracts to purchase additional items as needed for the Quick Build Toolkit, on behalf of the Division of Mobility & Parking Services, for the items listed in the document attached to this ordinance with Ferguson Enterprises, PPG, Grainger, ULine, Terra Bound Solutions, White Cap Supply, EcoCounter, and MioVision.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of up to $224,989.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, be and is hereby authorized in Fund 7765 (Federal Transportation Grant Fund) per the accounting codes in the attachment to the ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Director of the Department of Public Service, on behalf of the Division of Mobility and Parking Services, be and is hereby authorized to establish contracts and purchase orders for the acquisition of various items for the Quick Build Toolkit in accordance with Section 2 hereof.
SECTION 5. That the Director of Finance and Management be and is hereby authorized to associate all General Budget Reservations resulting from this ordinance with the appropriate Universal Term Contract Purchase Agreements with Bain Enterprises and All in Safety Corp. for the purchase of paint and marking tape by the Department of Public Service, Division of Mobility & Parking Services.
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 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 and does hereby waive those requirements.
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 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.