Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Hauntz Park Improvements Project. The contract amount is $2,213,800.00, with $25,000.00 in alternates and a contingency of $261,200.00, for a total of $2,500,000.00. An additional $2,000.00 is being authorized for interdepartmental inspections and fees for a total of $2,502,000.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
Hauntz Park, located at 480 Columbian Avenue, is a 5.6 acre neighborhood park in Columbus' Greater Hilltop Community. The park has seen little change since the late 1990s and has experienced declining use due to increasing concerns about illicit activity. Residents have actively requested the City to rejuvenate the park. The deteriorated shelter, small playground, and sports courts will need to be demolished to make way for new improvements. Field space is limited in the Hilltop. The Hilltop Vision Plan calls for more green space and recreational opportunities.
The proposed upgrades include an improved playground, basketball court, small skatepark, open lawn, and picnic areas. Passive recreation amenities, such as a walking loop and gathering spaces, will also be added. Infrastructure improvements will enhance site drainage and include the creation of a constructed wetland, pollinator meadow, and boardwalk for public enjoyment. These improvements will enhance the park's sense of place, complementing the surrounding residential community's era and architecture. Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2024 and be completed by fall 2025.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (Office of Diversity and Inclusion designation status):
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services and Bid Express, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on July 27, 2024 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on August 20, 2024. Bids were received from the following companies:
Builderscape, Inc. (MAJ)
After reviewing the bids that were submitted, it was determined that Builderscape, Inc. was the lowest and most responsive bidder. Builderscape, Inc. and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to prequalification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
As part of their bid, Builderscape, Inc. has proposed the following vendors to fulfill the Office of Diversity and Inclusion project goal:
CAP-STONE + Associates, Inc. (WBE)
Enviro Recycling Group LLC (MBE)
Certification of the MBE’s and WBE’s being proposed are in good standing at the time the bid is being awarded.
Principal Parties:
Builderscape, Inc.
10496 Parks Court
Marysville, Ohio 43040
Chris Matthews, (614) 679-2588
Contract Compliance Number: 000950
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: March 21, 2025
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to satisfy funding deadlines that are associated with the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, as these funds need to be encumbered as soon as possible.
Benefits to the Public: This park is currently underutilized, in a state of disrepair, and does not fulfill the needs of the communities it serves. All ages of the public will benefit from the added recreational amenities and ecological features of these improvements.
Community Input/Issues: Community input was gathered through preliminary meetings with area commissions in 2021 and 2022. 311 requests and two public engagement sessions held in 2023, which included in person gatherings with electronic surveys, were also used to help plan the project.
Area(s) Affected:
Greater Hilltop (53)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by helping to update sports related parks, expanding amenities to appeal to a more diversified audience, and updating five neighborhood parks per year.
Fiscal Impact: $2,502,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund 2209, Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702, and Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 to meet the financial obligations of this contract
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Hauntz Park Improvements Project; to authorize the appropriation of $150,187.50 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the transfer of $2,502,000.00 within the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, and Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $2,502,000.00 from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund, and Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($2,502,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. for the Hauntz Park Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $150,187.50 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $2,502,000.00 within the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund 2209, Community Recovery Subfund 220902, Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702, and Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1907-2024 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $2,502,000.00 from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund 2209, Community Recovery Subfund 220902, Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702, and Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; 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 of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Builderscape, Inc. in order to satisfy funding deadlines that are associated with the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, as these funds need to be encumbered as soon as possible, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety, 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 Builderscape, Inc. for the Hauntz Park Improvements 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 appropriation of $150,187.50 is authorized within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the transfer of $2,502,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund 2209, Community Recovery Subfund 220902, Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702, and Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1907-2024 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 / P512000-100000 / New Development - Misc. (Voted Carryover) / $2,614,980 / $2,614,980 / ($1,202,713) / $1,412,267 / $1,412,267
Fund 7747 / P510753-100000 / CC Greater Hilltop - Parkland Dedication (Carryover) / $308,038 / $308,038 / ($150,188) / $157,850 / $157,850
Fund 7702 / P512033-100000 / Hauntz, Helsel, and Willow Creek Park Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $1,202,713 / $1,202,713 / $1,202,713
Fund 7747 / P512033-100000 / Hauntz, Helsel, and Willow Creek Park Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $150,188 / $150,188 / $150,188
SECTION 8. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $2,502,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund 2209, Community Recovery Subfund 220902, Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702, and Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 9. 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.