Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with O.A. Spencer, INC. for the Underground Railroad Playground Project. The contract amount is $180,924.00, with a contingency of $20,000.00, for a total of $200,924.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
The Underground Railroad Playground Project seeks to capture the historical, cultural, and geographical relevance of the Underground Railroad through the installation of thematic playground equipment and safety surfacing. This project will create the opportunity to educate visitors on an important time in history while engaging all ages and abilities in physical activity and play.
The Alum Creek corridor served as a major Underground Railroad route for enslaved people to escape from the south to the north in the decades leading up to the American Civil War. Columbus Recreation and Parks is seeking to highlight this time in history and how it has shaped the region through a series of installments in the parks and trails along the Alum Creek corridor. Recreation and Parks intends to develop a new installation annually, and unveil the design each February for Black History Month. The Underground Railroad Playground at Shepard Library and Hayden Park will be the first of these installations.
Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) owns the land for the planned project location of the Underground Railroad. It is situated between the CML Shepard Branch on the south, Hayden Park on the north, the Alum Creek Greenway Trail on the east, and Nelson Road on the west. Recreation and Parks is working closely with CML to acquire this land. Hayden Park is a 10-acre neighborhood open space in the North Central community. Hayden Park’s primary recreation focus is passive use. Hayden Park is also a trailhead for the Alum Creek Trail, which is a regional greenway trail extending 24.5 miles along the Alum Creek corridor.
The Shepard Library consists of two parking lots and the library building. No parks or play amenities exist currently in the green space within the property. The library is adjacent to the Alum Creek Trail Connector and is just off of Interstate 670 and East 5th Avenue. The location creates the potential for high traffic through the site and heavy usage of the play equipment. Consideration must be given for future traffic patterns, as CML may have a developer build on the site adjacent to our proposed site in the future.
CML has recently completed a research project on the Underground Railroad. They also created an Underground Railroad exhibit that circulated throughout the CML branches and is available virtually. CML has made their research and exhibit available to Recreation and Parks to use to help guide this project. As this project is developed, Recreation and Parks will work with CML to coordinate a permanent Underground Railroad exhibit at Shepard Library to provide further educational material and continuity between the park and the library.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status):
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on August 23, 2024 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on September 13, 2024. Bids were received from the following companies:
O.A. Spencer, INC. (MBE)
Latus Studio (MAJ)
After reviewing the bids that were submitted, it was determined that O.A. Spencer, INC. was the lowest and most responsive bidder. O.A. Spencer, INC. and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to prequalification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
As part of their bid, O.A. Spencer, INC. has proposed the following vendors to fulfill the Office of Diversity and Inclusion project goal:
Shel10, Inc. (MBE)
2LMN (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:
O.A. Spencer INC.
343 E. Livingston Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Othelda Spencer 614-461-1033
Contract Compliance Number: 005585
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: September 26, 2026
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested for this project to allow sufficient time to develop design concepts and renderings to unveil to the public during Black History Month in February 2025.
Benefits to the Public: This project will provide cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities to the public.
Community Input/Issues: The inspiration for this project came from a community request.
Area(s) Affected: Northland (35)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenway corridors.
Fiscal Impact: $200,924.00 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 O.A. Spencer, Inc. for the Underground Railroad Playground Project; to authorize the transfer of $200,924.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $200,924.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,924.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with O.A. Spencer, INC. for the Underground Railroad Playground Project.; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $200,924.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; 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 $200,924.00 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 O.A. Spencer, Inc. to allow sufficient time to develop design concepts and renderings to unveil to the public during Black History Month in February 2025, all for the 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 Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with O.A. Spencer, Inc. for the Underground Railroad Playground 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 $200,924.00 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 / P511013-202403 / 2024 Playgrounds Package 3 (Voted Carryover) / $598,715 / $598,715 / ($200,924) / $397,791 / $397,791
Fund 7702 / P511013-202404 / Underground Railroad Playground (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $200,924 / $200,924 / $200,924
SECTION 7. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $200,924.00 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.