Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Metropolitan Environmental Services, Inc. for the Clover Groff Stream Restoration Phase 3.
Background: This Phase 3 project addresses the final segment of the impaired ditch and its confluence with Hellbranch Run. The work will restore 0.55 miles (2,900 l.f.) of Clover Groff ditch to Warm Water Habitat. Utilizing natural channel design, the entrenched polluted ditch, along with two small tributaries, will be converted back to a functioning stream, with a floodplain, sinuous channel, coarse substrate, and riffle/run/pool flow character. Upon completion of this phase, over 40% of the entire Clover Groff stream will have been restored by Recreation and Parks.
The Clover Groff ditch represents one of the worst headwaters of the Big Darby Creek, nationally noted for its exceptional water quality. During the past 6 years, Recreation and Parks has applied for and received over $ 3 million in funding from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Resource Restoration Sponsorship Program (WRRSP) for the restoration of over 2.25 miles of the Clover Groff Ditch. The first two phases restored approximately 25% of the total length of the Clover Groff, and biological data during the past 4 years shows significantly improved water quality and aquatic life. In January, the Department was awarded $1.7 million in funding for a third phase from Broad Street to Alton Road.
The costs for this project will be $1,498,706.80 with a contingency of $150,000.00 for a total of $1,648,706.80.
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Chapter 329, on April 28, 2016 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on May 19, 2016. Bids were received from the following companies:
Company Amount
Metropolitan Environmental Services (MAJ) $1,498,706.80
Environmental Remediation (MAJ) $1,614,534.00
Facemyer Company (FBE) $1,621,723.41
John Eramo (MAJ) $1,731,510.00
After reviewing the proposals that were submitted, it was determined that Metropolitan Environmental Services, Inc. was the lowest and most responsive bidder.
Metropolitan Environmental Services, Inc. and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to pre-qualification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
Principal Parties:
Metropolitan Environmental Services, Inc.
5055 Nike Drive, Hilliard, OH 45822
Chris Thobe 614-778-3297
Contract Compliance Number: 31-1409090
October 28, 2016
Emergency Justification: The legislation is requested to be emergency due to the site clearing calendar limitations imposed by federal regulations.
Benefits to the Public: The restoration of impaired streams provides major impacts to the overall health of the city’s waterways, wildlife, and permanently protects natural stream buffers.
Community Input Issues: The city has engaged for over two decades with conservation groups, townships, surrounding communities, and private development in providing protection to the Big Darby Creek watershed. Many public workshops and interactions have been held to develop criteria for the next generation of the region to keep the integrity of the river intact. One of the top three action plan items is restoration of impacted headwater streams such as the Clover Groff.
Area(s) Affected: Planning Area 7 Clover Groff Stream & Big Darby Watershed
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by providing improvements to the environmental health of the city’s waterways, recreational access to streams, and provide long term protection corridors for water quality and trail development. The project will also support the Mayor’s Initiatives through restoring the impaired stream which will provide a major impact to the overall health of the city’s waterways, wildlife, and permanently protect natural stream buffers.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance requires no City of Columbus funding. Payments will be made directly from Ohio EPA to the contractor.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Metropolitan Environmental Services, Inc. for the Clover Groff Stream Restoration Phase 3; and to declare an emergency. ($0)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Metropolitan Environmental Services, Inc. for the Clover Groff Stream Restoration Phase 3; and
WHEREAS, no funding is required because payments will be made directly from the Ohio EPA to the contractor; 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 contract with Metropolitan Environmental Services, Inc. in order to begin the site clearing as soon as possible because of calendar limitations imposed by federal regulations; 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 Metropolitan Environmental Services, Inc. for the Clover Groff Stream Restoration Phase 3.
SECTION 2. That the project funds will come from the Ohio EPA and be paid directly to the contractor.
SECTION 3. 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.