Explanation
This ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Strand Associates to provide engineering services for the Olentangy Trail: Harrison Park Connector.
Background: This section of the Olentangy Trail is an Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund (UIRF) project that the Harrison West Community has desired for several years. The Project is the last piece of connector trail that would connect the Harrison West Community to the Harrison West Rail Trail, which directly connects to the Olentangy Trail. Furthermore, the community would be able to enjoy an extended greenway experience along the Olentangy River, rather than using surface streets.
The proposed trail is approximately 900-feet in length, and starts at the existing trail on the River House Apartment property, east of the River. From there, the trail will proceed south and east to connect into the exiting Harrison Rail Trail.
Strand Associates, our engineering consultant has been selected to determine the best alignment through the tight corridor between the floodplain and Short North Storage’s fence. It is anticipated that a permanent easement along the Short North Storage LLC will be required to avoid impacts to the floodplain. CRPD staff and Harrison West Community members have been in conversation with Short North Storage LLC property owners to discuss the easement.
The anticipated project schedule had final plans designed by December 2020 with construction in January 2021. Construction may be sooner depending on the easement acquisition timeline.
Proposals were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on January 16th, 2020 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on February 7, 2020. Proposals were received from the following companies:
Company Status Amount
Strand Associates, Inc. (Columbus) MAJ Design Bid - N/A
MS Consultants (Columbus) MAJ Design Bid - N/A
Johnson, Mirminan & Thompson, Inc. (Columbus) MAJ Design Bid - N/A
In accordance with City Code, a selection team evaluated the proposals and recommended Strand Associates be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline, and project approach.
Principal Parties:
Strand Associates, Inc.
910 West Wingra Drive
Madison, WI, 53715
39-1020418
10/04/21
Emergency Justification: The Harrison West community has been anticipating this project for an extended period of time. The Emergency Justification will use dated UIRF funds and support the community needs by delivering a project that can be built before the Fall of 2021.
Benefits to the Public: The public will benefit by having a connected trail where the Harrison West community can seamlessly access the Olentangy Trail from their neighborhood. Furthermore, trail will get pedestrians off streets and onto safer trails.
Community Input/Issues: The Harrison West community was the driving factor for this request. Design and Construction attended a Harrison West Society Executive Committee meeting on February 5th, 2020 to inform the group that the project is progressing. The group was overwhelmingly supportive and excited that the trail connection is finally happening for their community.
Area(s) Affected: Harrison West (43)
Master Plan Relation: This project supports the Master Plan through improving community access to the existing trails from surrounding neighborhoods, business districts, and parks.
Fiscal Impact: $170,976.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Strand Associates to provide engineering services for the Olentangy Trail: Harrison Park Connector; to authorize the expenditure of $170,976.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($170,976.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it necessary to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Strand Associates to provide engineering services for the Olentangy Trail: Harrison Park Connector; and
WHEREAS, it necessary to authorize the expenditure of $170,976.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with Strand Associates in order to get the project completed by Fall 2021 preserving the public peace , property, health, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Strand Associates to provide engineering services for the Olentangy Trail: Harrison Park Connector.
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, for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $170,976.00 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 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.