Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with MS Consultants, Inc. for professional services for phase one of the design of the Alum Creek Trail - Johnstown Road East Columbus Connector. This involves gathering data, surveying, environmental studies, preliminary design, and public input.
Background: The East Columbus/Krumm Park neighborhood is a significant community of the city's near east side. The area has no access to the Alum Creek Trail, a major 22 mile north/south trail on the west bank of the river. The project will provide a new direct connector for the community, as well as increased access from the Johnstown Road corridor. An existing unused pedestrian bridge over Alum Creek next to Airport Drive will be slightly modified to align with a new trail underpass beneath I-670. From I-670, 1300 l.f. of new trail will be built to Johnstown Road. New bike lanes (0.3 mi.) will be built along Johnstown Road to Cassady Avenue. Also, a new bike boulevard along Kenilworth Avenue/Roxbury St./10th Avenue will improve safe on-street access to Krumm Park Recreation Center and East Columbus elementary school which are central community spaces of this neighborhood.
In July 2015, the department was awarded funding by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to construct this project. As part of the funding, the city is responsible for providing engineering plans for the project. In November 2015, the city advertised a Request for Proposals for engineering firms to design the connector trail and on-street improvements. During the planning process, public involvement meetings will be conducted with stakeholders in East Columbus, including civic associations, schools, and community organizations.
This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenway corridors. The project will also improve the environmental health of the city’s waterways, recreational access to streams, provide long-term protection corridors for water quality and trail development.
Planning Area: 12
The costs for this project will be $139,218.50.
Proposals were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on November 30, 2015 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on December 22, 2015. Proposals were received from the following companies:
Company
MS Consultants (MAJ)
CHA Consulting (MAJ)
CT Consultants (MAJ)
EL Robinson Engineering (MAJ)
IBI Group (MAJ)
Ribway Engineering (MBE)
JMT (MAJ)
Jones Stuckey (MAJ)
Korda (MAJ)
Patrick Engineering, Inc. (MAJ)
Prime AE (MBE)
After reviewing the proposals that were submitted, it was determined that MS Consultants, Inc. was the lowest and most responsive proposal.
Principal Parties:
MS Consultants, Inc.
2221 Schrock Road, Columbus, OH 43229
Cary Ehrman 614-898-7100
CC#34-6546916 Exp. Date: 2/18/18
Emergency Justification: An emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said contract due to the federal funding schedule requiring that the first phase of engineering be completed by November 2016.
Fiscal Impact: $139,218.50 is budgeted and available in the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with MS Consultants, Inc. for professional services, surveying, environmental studies, gathering data, and public input for phase one of the design of the Alum Creek Trail - Johnstown Road East Columbus Connector; to authorize the expenditure of $139,218.50 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and to declare an emergency. ($139,218.50)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with MS Consultants, Inc. for professional services for phase one of the design of the Alum Creek Trail - Johnstown Road East Columbus Connector. This involves gathering data, surveying, environmental studies, preliminary design, and public input; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $139,218.50 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 said contract due to the federal funding schedule requiring the first phase of engineering be completed by November 2016; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with MS Consultants, Inc. for professional services for phase one of the design of the Alum Creek Trail - Johnstown Road East Columbus Connector. This involves gathering data, surveying, environmental studies, preliminary design, and public input.
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. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $139,218.50 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment.
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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.