Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to modify a professional services contract with WSP USA, Inc. to add additional funds for design of the Bikeway - Cassady Avenue - 7th Avenue to Plaza Properties Boulevard project. The contract continues until the project is completed, with the potential of additional modifications.
Ordinance No. 1346-2024 authorized the Director of Public Service to enter into a professional services contract with WSP USA, Inc for the Bikeway-Cassady Ave - 7th to Plaza Properties Boulevard project. The intent of this project is to provide the City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, additional resources to install a new shared use path (SUP) along the west side and sidewalk along the east side of N Cassady Avenue from E 7th Avenue to Plaza Properties Boulevard, including on the Cassady Road bridge over I-670. The project ties into a City of Columbus improvement project (ODOT PID 105732) on the south end and a Franklin County Engineer’s Cassady Road project on the north end.
Ordinance No. 0661-2026 authorized the Director of Public Service to modify the contract in the amount of $250,000.00 for additional professional services to authorize detailed design services and continue right - of way design so that we can stay on schedule and meet our MORPC funding dates. The improvements include replacement of the signal at the intersection with Johnstown Road, and modifications to the bridge over I-670, in addition to incidental improvements to the storm sewer, lighting, and resurfacing the roadway.
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to modify the contract in the amount of $500,000.00 for additional professional services to authorize additional funds for the detailed design stages of the project. The improvements include a shared use path on the west side and sidewalk on the east side of Cassady Ave from 7th Ave to Demonye Road. The improvements also include continued work from the modification 1: replacement of the signal at the intersection with Johnstown Road, and modifications to the bridge over I-670, in addition to incidental improvements to the storm sewer, lighting, and resurfacing the roadway
Ordinance 2534-2022 authorized the Director of Public Service, on behalf of the City of Columbus, to submit applications to and execute grant agreements with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission relative to the MORPC Attributable Funds Program, accept and expend awarded grant funds, and issue refunds, if necessary, for the Bikeway-Cassady Ave - 7th to Plaza Properties Boulevard project.
1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $500,000.00
The original contract amount: $500,000.00 (PO452692, Ord. 1346-2024)
The total of Modification No. 1: $250,000.00 (PO561629, Ord. 0661-2026)
The total of Modification No. 2: $500,000.00 (This Ordinanace)
The contract amount including all modifications: $1,250,000.00
1.2 Reasons additional goods/services could not be foreseen:
This is additional funding needed to complete the detailed design for the original scope of improvements, and continue the work from modification 1. The amount legislated thus far for this project did not include the full amount that would be needed to fund this project through the detailed design stages.
1.3 Reason other procurement processes are not used:
The work is a continuation of services completed by the consultant already under contract, therefore it was decided that it is in the best interest of the City to modify the existing contract instead of bidding this part of the work and keep the project on schedule and on budget.
1.4 How cost of modification was determined:
The consultant provided a cost breakdown for each task included in the scope. The cost of this modification was deemed reasonable based on other projects of similar size and scope based on anticipated necessary effort to complete the project.
Searches in the System for Award Management (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against WSP USA, Inc.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
WSP USA, Inc.’s contract compliance number is CC000455 and expires 5/07/28.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding, in the amount of $500,000.00 is budgeted and available within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704 within the Department of Public Service. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to establish sufficient budget authority for the project.
A transfer of appropriation is necessary to establish funding in the proper project.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to continue detailed design work to keep the project on schedule to meet the MORPC funding dates and expeditiously complete the project to preserve the safety of the traveling public.
Title
To amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of appropriation within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to appropriate funds within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into a contract modification with WSP USA, Inc., in connection with the Bikeway-Cassady Ave - 7th to Plaza Properties Boulevard project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $500,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund to pay for the project; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, contract no. PO452692, with WSP USA, Inc., in the amount of $500,000.00, was authorized by ordinance no. 1346-2024; and
WHEREAS, contract no. PO561629, with WSP USA, Inc., in the amount of $250,000.00, was authorized by ordinance no. 0661-2026; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to modify the contract in an amount up to $500,000.00 and provide additional funds for the Bikeway-Cassady Ave - 7th to Plaza Properties Boulevard project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to provide sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of up to $500,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund to pay for this contract modification; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract modification with WSP USA, Inc., to continue detailed design work and prevent delays in the project schedule to meet the MORPC funding dates and expeditiously complete the project, to preserve the safety of the traveling public, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /C.I.B. as Amended
7704 / P540002-100096 / Bikeway- Olentangy River Rd SUP-McConnell to Garrett (Voted Carryover) / $250,000.00 / ($250,000.00) / $0.00
7704 / P540002-100112 / Worthington Woods Blvd (Sancus to Deer Creek) (Voted Carryover) / $128,533.00 / ($128,533.00) / $0.00
7704 / P540002-100105 / Tussing Road SUP Brice Rd to Hines Rd (Voted Carryover) / $1,476,329.00 / ($121,467.00) / $1,354,862.00
7704 / P540002-100118 / Bikeway-Cassady Ave - 7th to Plaza Properties Boulevard (Voted Carryover) / $.00 / $500,000.00 / $500,000.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a contract modification with WSP USA, Inc, at Two Miranova Place, Suite 450,Columbus, OH 43215, for the Bikeway-Cassady Ave - 7th to Plaza Properties Boulevard project in an amount up to $500,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, in accordance with the plans and specifications on file in the Department of Public Service, which are hereby approved.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $33,712.85 in appropriation, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5911 (Infrastructure Management), Project P540002 (Bikeway Development), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), P540002-100118 ( Bikeway-Cassady Ave - 7th to Plaza Properties Boulevard), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $500,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), P540002-100118 (Bikeway-Cassady Ave - 7th to Plaza Properties Boulevard), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 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.