Explanation
Ordinance 2026-2006 was passed November 20, 2006 to provide the city with consultant traffic engineering services to analyze downtown traffic flow associated with the I-70/71 reconstruction study, RiverSouth redevelopment, Scioto Mile, new Main and Rich Street bridges and recommendations from the Downtown Columbus Circulation Study. Trans Associates was hired to provide this resource due to their vast knowledge and prior work on a number of downtown planning issues. As stated in 2026-2006, there is now a need to modify the existing contract to conduct additional analysis and extend the time period in which to complete this work. The additional analysis is associated with refinement of scheduling two-way street conversions due to construction of residential units, a parking garage and the County Courthouse, examining the operation of the Main and Rich Street bridges and further technical support for the I-70/71 study. The formal competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 of the City Code are being waived for the procurement of engineering services for this modification.
The original contract amount was $100,000.00. The amount of this modification is $100,000.00, for a total contracted amount of $200,000.00.
Emergency action is requested as planning for the RiverSouth development and public utility infrastructure improvements has accelerated and decisions are soon needed to determine the appropriate maintenance of traffic plan and sequencing of two-way conversions to maintain safe vehicle and pedestrian travel. The Rich Street bridge design is in progress and final adjustment to the I-70/71 collector-distributor street system must occur in a timely fashion to meet Ohio Department of Transportation project schedules. In order for the City to provide input for desired pedestrian safety, vehicle circulation and aesthetic treatments in a timely fashion, continuation of traffic engineering support services must commence as soon as possible.
Trans Associates Engineering Contract Compliance number is CC# 25-1634385 and it expires 10/12/09.
Fiscal Impact: The City of Columbus will be responsible for up to $100,000.00 of the cost of contracting with Trans Associates Engineering Consultants. This amount may increase depending upon decisions regarding these projects by the Ohio Department of Transportation and other agencies involved. City funds for this project are available within Fund 766, the Street and Highway Improvement Fund.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to modify and increase a contract with Trans Associates Engineering Consultants; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed from the Streets and Highway Improvement Fund; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Code, 1959; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, several substantial projects are currently under way which will affect future vehicular and pedestrian traffic; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Division does not currently possess the required levels of expertise; and
WHEREAS, it is important that consultant resources be acquired now so that these projects can be coordinated to protect the City's vision for downtown traffic flow and visual enhancement of the freeway corridor; and
WHEREAS, in order to harmonize these separate but connected efforts to produce a downtown transportation system that provides mobility and safety for all users, additional engineering analysis must occur to successfully link surface street and freeway system operations; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus will contribute $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed for consultant services in order to oversee the construction of these public infrastructure improvements; and
WHEREAS, this estimated cost may increase and the contract may be modified dependent upon decisions on various project aspects by the Ohio Department of Transportation and other agencies involved; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code, 1959, with respect to professional services due to the consultant's unparalleled knowledge and understanding of downtown traffic issues related to proposed projects; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize said contract to meet community and stakeholder interests and concerns, as well as to meet schedule and timeline commitments; 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 Public Service Director be authorized to modify and increase agreement EL006670 with Trans Associates Engineering Consultants, 941 Chatham Lane Suite 105, Columbus, Ohio 43221, for $100,000.00 or so much as may be needed for the Transportation Division for the purpose of providing various traffic enginering services for the various downtown projects that are currently underway, including the reconstruction of I-70/71.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed be and is hereby authorized from Fund 766, the Street and Highway Improvement Fund, Department 59-09, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6682, Project 530161 and OCA Code 642728 to pay the cost of these consultant services.
SECTION 3. That City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus that the formal competitive bidding requirements of Chapter 329 be and are hereby waived for the procurement of engineering services for this design modification.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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.