Explanation
Background: This legislation authorizes the Public Service Director to enter into a $125,000.00 Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement with Grant Partners LLC for the construction of streetscape improvements on Grant Avenue between Walnut Street and Rich Street. Streetscape Improvements include the construction of new concrete sidewalks, granite curbs, street trees, and street lighting. These improvements will greatly enhance the appearance of the pedestrian environment. The Development Department has identified and negotiated this Agreement and the Public Service Department will enter into contract and administer the agreement. More detailed descriptions are contained on the attached document. The formal competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the City Code are being waived for the procurement of engineering and construction services pursuant to this Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement.
Fiscal Impact: The Transportation Division budgeted $1.5 million in the 2004 Capital Improvements Budget for Downtown Streetscape improvements. Approximately $250,000 has been spent to date for Downtown Streetscape improvements. This ordinance authorizes Downtown Streetscape improvement of $125,000.00. .
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement with Grant Partners LLC for the construction of downtown streetscape improvements on Grant Avenue between Walnut Street and Rich Street for the Transportation Division; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Code, 1959, and to authorize the expenditure of $125,000.00 from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund. ($125,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the need exists to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement for the construction of new downtown streetscape improvements on Grant Avenue between Walnut Street and Rich Street; and
WHEREAS, this project will provide improvements to the public right-of-way that meet or exceed the standards of the Downtown Streetscape Plan; and
WHEREAS, this streetscape project will greatly enhance the appearance of the pedestrian environment and will complement an adjacent private sector investment; and
WHEREAS, streetscape construction agreements were negotiated in order to allow streetscape projects and their adjacent private sector projects to proceed on schedule, conditioned on the City's ability to fund new projects and City Council approval of the necessary legislation; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to waive the formal competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Code, 1959, and that this agreement be awarded in accordance with Section 186 of the City Charter; now, therefore;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement with Grant Partners LLC for the construction of downtown streetscape improvements on Grant Avenue between Walnut Street and Rich Street for the Transportation Division in an amount not to exceed $125,000.00 pursuant to Section 186 of the City Charter.
SECTION 2. That in accordance with Section 329.27 of the Columbus City Code, City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus that the formal competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 be and hereby are waived for the procurement of engineering and construction services pursuant to this Guaranteed Maximum Cost Agreement.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $125,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and hereby is authorized from Fund 704, the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6631 and Project 530801 (downtown streetscape improvements).
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.