Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc. for the Street Tree Installation - Fall 2025 Project. The contract amount is total of $97,405.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
This project consists of installing 253 trees in numerous Columbus neighborhoods and in all Forestry Planning Areas. The tree plantings will help replace tree species that have been removed throughout the City due to tree mortality. The project will also plant new trees in areas that previously did not have trees. The new tree plantings will represent a diverse species of trees selected specifically for each planting location. It takes into consideration the specific site restrictions that each location has in an effort to replace some of our lost Urban Tree Canopy. These new trees will also help reduce storm water run-off in the area while not interfering with nearby utilities or structures.
Per the bid package, the project will commence upon contract execution and the expected project completion date is December 31, 2025.
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 June 5, 2025 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on June 26, 2025. Bids were received from the following companies:
Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc.: $97,405.00
DLL Landscaping & Tree Service: $100,918.17
Ironsite, Inc.: $168,498.00
After reviewing the bids that were submitted, it was determined that Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc. was the lowest and most responsive bidder. Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc. and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to prequalification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
Principal Parties:
Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc.
4220 Winchester Pike, Columbus, Ohio 43232
Bill Gerhardt, (614) 830-2602
Contract Compliance Number: 004614
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: March 5, 2027
Emergency Justification: An emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department as tree planting has specific periods of time when it is most beneficial to plant trees. Traditional 30 day legislation would result in an insufficient period of time to schedule the work, order, and plant the trees before ideal planting conditions are lost to colder temperatures.
Benefits to the Public: This project will increase the City of Columbus’ Urban Tree Canopy, which reduces storm water runoff, reduces utility costs to nearby homes and businesses, and reduces air pollution. The plantings will add to the total overall canopy levels and is helping to reduce storm water runoff, heat-island effects, and replace trees lost due varying causes of tree mortality.
Community Input/Issues: The majority of the trees being planted as part of this contract have been requested by the property owners.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project supports the Columbus Recreation and Parks Master Plan by planting trees intended to both replace lost trees and add to the City of Columbus’ Urban Tree Canopy.
Fiscal Impact: $97,405.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Tree Fund 2234 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc. for the Street Trees - Fall 2025 Project; to authorize the expenditure of $97,405.00 from the Recreation and Parks Tree Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($97,405.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc. for the Street Trees - Spring 2025 Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $97,405.00 from the Recreation and Parks Tree Fund 2234; 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 Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc. as there is a limited window of time to order trees in order for them to be available for the Fall 2025 planting schedule, tree planting has specific periods of time when it is most beneficial to plant trees, the traditional 30 day legislation would result in an insufficient period of time to schedule the work, order and plant the trees before ideal planting conditions are lost to colder temperatures, all for the immediate 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 Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc. for the Street Trees - Fall 2025 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. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $97,405.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Tree Fund 2234 in object class 03 Services per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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.