Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Greenscapes Landscape Co., Inc. for the installation of 385 street trees throughout the City of Columbus.
The Urban Infrastructure Recovery Fund (UIRF) was established in 1992 to address capital improvement needs in central city neighborhoods. The Department of Development has a funding plan in place to replace street trees in eleven of the NCR (Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization) areas throughout the City of Columbus over the next 5 years. The fall 2016 street tree planting adds street trees to 3 of the UIRF districts, Harrison West, Victorian Village and North Linden. The new plantings will represent a diverse species of trees selected specifically for each planting location. It takes into consideration the specific site restrictions that each location has in an effort to maximize the Urban Tree Canopy and reduce storm water run-off in the area while not interfering with nearby utilities or structures. The North Linden neighborhood planting is a direct request by the community leaders intended to add new trees to their aging urban tree canopy. The planting in the Harrison West and Victorian Village UIRF districts is a response to public input asking for trees to be planted to replace the numerous trees that needed to be removed due to damage from the derecho that impacted Central Ohio in late-June 2012.
The costs for this project will be $139,633.00 with a contingency of $14,000.00 for a total of $153,633.00.
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on August 8, 2016 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on August 25, 2016. Bids were received from the following companies:
Company Amount
Greenscapes (MAJ) $139,633.00
Principal Parties:
Greenscapes Landscape Company
4220 Winchester Pike, Columbus, OH 43232
Tom Kuhn 614-830-2606
CC# 31-1027889
Exp Date: 9/3/17
Columbus Employees: 30+
Emergency Justification: An emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department as tree planting has specific periods of time when it is most beneficial to plant trees. Traditional 30 day legislation would result in an insufficient period of time to schedule the work, order the trees, perform the stump removal and plant the trees before ideal planting conditions are lost to cooler temperatures in the coming months.
Benefits to the Public: These plantings will increase the Urban Tree Canopy which reduces storm water runoff, reduces utility costs to nearby homes and businesses, and reduces air pollution.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project supports the departments Master Plan by planting trees intended to both replace and add to the City of Columbus’ urban tree canopy. It will be adding to the total overall canopy levels and is helping to replace trees lost due to the Emerald Ash Borer and other causes of tree mortality.
Fiscal Impact: $153,633.00 is budgeted and available in 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 Co., Inc. for the installation of 385 street trees throughout the City of Columbus; to authorize the expenditure of $153,633.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 ; and to declare an emergency. ($153,633.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Greenscapes Landscape Co., Inc. for the installation of 385 street trees throughout the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $139,633.00 with a contingency of $14,000.00 for a total of $153,633.00 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 as tree planting has specific periods of time when it is most beneficial to plant trees adding to the preservation of 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 Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into contract with Greenscapes Landscape Co., Inc. for the installation of 385 street trees throughout the City of Columbus
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $139,633.00 with a contingency of $14,000.00 for a total of $153,633.00, is authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702.
SECTION 3. 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 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 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 6. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $153,633.00 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 attachment.
SECTION 7. 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.