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 - Spring 2026 Project. The contract amount is a total of $368,100.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
This project consists of installing 900 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 tree plantings will represent a diverse species of trees selected specifically for each planting location, taking into consideration the specific site restrictions that each location has while not interfering with nearby utilities or structures. This project is an effort to replace some of our lost Urban Tree Canopy and reduce storm water run-off in the areas receiving new trees.
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 December 9, 2025 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on December 30, 2025. Bids were received from the following companies:
Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc.: $368,100.00
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: Emergency action is requested as planting trees has a specific period of time when it is most beneficial for tree survival and this will help ensure there is sufficient time to plant all of the trees before ideal planting conditions are lost due to warmer temperatures.
Benefits to the Public: This project will increase the Urban Tree Canopy in the City of Columbus. The new trees will help reduce storm water runoff, air pollution, and heat-island effects. As a result, utility costs to nearby homes and businesses should be reduced.
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: $368,100.00 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 Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc. for the Street Trees - Spring 2026 Project; to authorize the transfer of $249,828.34 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $368,100.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($368,100.00)
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 2026 Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $249,828.34 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1790-2025 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $368,100.00 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 Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc. as planting trees has a specific period of time when it is most beneficial for tree survival and this will help ensure there is sufficient time to plant all of the trees before ideal planting conditions are lost due to warmer 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 the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Greenscapes Landscape Company, Inc. for the Street Trees - Spring 2026 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 $249,828.34 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1790-2025 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 / P511012-100000 / Street Trees - Green Initiative (Voted Carryover) / $872,972 / $550,972 / ($432,700) / $440,272 / $118,272
Fund 7702 / P511020-100000 / Renovation - General Design & Construction Management Services (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $86,727 / $86,727 / $86,727 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P511036-100000 / Glenwood Park Natural Area Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $238 / $238 / $9,402 / $9,640 / $9,640 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P512020-100000 / New Development - General Design & Construction Management Services (Voted Carryover) / $3,900 / $3,900 / $25,827 / $29,727 / $29,727 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P514005-100000 / Golf Equipment (Voted Carryover) / $402,000 / $0 / $58,582 / $460,582 / $58,582 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P511020-100000 / Renovation - General Design & Construction Management Services (Voted Carryover) / $86,727 / $86,727 / ($86,727) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P511036-100000 / Glenwood Park Natural Area Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $9,640 / $9,640 / ($9,640) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P511075-100000 / Hoover Mudflats Boardwalk (Voted Carryover) / $840,000 / $840,000 / ($100,372) / $739,628 / $739,628
Fund 7702 / P512020-100000 / New Development - General Design & Construction Management Services (Voted Carryover) / $29,727 / $29,727 / ($29,727) / $0 / $0
Fund 7702 / P514005-100000 / Golf Equipment (Voted Carryover) / $460,582 / $58,582 / ($23,363) / $437,219 / $35,219
Fund 7702 / P511012-100000 / Street Trees - Green Initiative (Voted Carryover) / $440,272 / $118,272 / $249,829 / $690,101 / $368,101
SECTION 7. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $368,100.00 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 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.