Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance requests Council’s approval to enter into professional services contracts with Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc., for the Recycling Program Consultant Study contract and to provide funding for the contract.
Landfill diversion requirements are established by Ohio Revised Code. Continuation of a separate collection for these items is necessary to segregate yard waste and recyclables that can be composted and recycled from the regular waste stream. This serves to extend the life of the landfill operated by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO).
The Department of Public Service, Division of Refuse Collection, provides bi-weekly collection of recyclables and yard waste for residences through the Collection Services of Yard Waste and Recyclables contract. The Department of Public Service issued a bid in 2016 to replace the existing contract for the Collection Services of Yard Waste and Recyclables, which was expiring in 2017. The original contract was awarded to Rumpke, and Rumpke was also awarded the 2017 contract. The contract also includes Rumpke servicing recycling containers deployed along Broad Street and High Street as part of the Pedestrian Recycling Program, glass pick-up from restaurants and bars along N. High Street as part of the Recycle On High program, and recyclable collection services for the solar compactors deployed in the Short North Area that also include a container for recyclables. The current contract is a 5-year contract expiring on March 31, 2022, with five one-year renewal options.
The City, along with SWACO and other regional municipalities, have identified challenges to recycling programs and have identified areas to explore where opportunities may exist for increased participation and service, reduced cost, and reduced contamination of the collected recyclable materials. The intent of the Recycling Program Consultant Study is to prepare and execute a study of the City of Columbus’ recycling program to: (1) develop benchmarked evaluation tools and metrics; (2) evaluate opportunities for recycling program expansion; (3) evaluate opportunities for increased regional collaboration; (4) recommend strategies to increase recycling participation; and (5) identify strategies to address regional challenges to recycling. In addition to working with City of Columbus staff, Cascadia Consulting Group will also be expected to work with regional stakeholders, including, but not limited to, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO).
The Department of Public Service, Office of Support Services, solicited Requests for Proposals for the Recycling Program Consultant Study contract. The project was formally advertised on the Bonfire web site from October 3, 2018, to November 1, 2018. The City received five responses. All proposals were deemed responsive and were fully evaluated when the Evaluation Committee met on November 6, 2018. The responding firms were:
Company Name City/State MAJ/MBE/MBR/F1/AS1
Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. Seattle, WA MAJ
Gershman, Brickner & Bratton McLean, VA MAJ
GT Environmental Westerville, OH MAJ
Resource Recycling Systems Middletown, OH MAJ
SCS Engineers (Stearns, Conrad & Schmidt Consulting) Cincinnati, OH MAJ
Cascadia Consulting Group received the highest score by the evaluation committee and will be awarded the Recycling Program Consultant Study contract.
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
The contract compliance number for Cascadia Consulting Group is CC027480 and expires October 25, 2020.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
A reimbursement grant from SWACO in the amount of $86,250.00 will partially fund this project through the General Government Grants Fund, Fund 2220, Grant #G591900 (2018-2019 Refuse Recycling Consultants Study). Public Service will contribute a local share amount of $21,562.50 for the project, for a contract total of $107,812.50. The Public Service local share amount is available within the Refuse Collection General Fund, Fund 1000.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to allow the study to be completed within the timeframe SWACO has requested.
Title
To appropriate funds within the General Government Grant Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into contract with Cascadia Consulting Group for the Recycling Program Consultant Study contract; to authorize the expenditure of up to $107,812.50 from the General Fund and the General Government Grant Fund for the contract; and to declare an emergency. ($107,812.50)
Body
WHEREAS, landfill diversion requirements are established by Ohio Revised Code and there is a need to extend the life of the landfill operated by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO); and
WHEREAS, the City implemented a contract for the collection of yard waste and recyclables to divert them from the landfill; and
WHEREAS, challenges to recycling have been identified; and
WHEREAS, proposals were solicited for the Recycling Program Consultant Study to recommend ways to overcome the challenges and Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc., is recommended to be awarded the contract; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into contract with Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc., and to provide for payment of the contract; and
WHEREAS, SWACO is providing grant funds to partially fund the study and it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $86,250.00 in the General Government Grant Fund for the use of the funds; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $107,812.50 from the General Fund and from the General Government Grant Fund to pay for the contract; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Refuse Collection Division, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with Cascadia Consulting Group to allow the study to be completed within the timeframe SWACO has requested, 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 from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the sum of $86,250.00 is appropriated in Fund 2220 (General Government Grant Fund), Dept-Div 5902 (Division of Refuse Collection), G591900 (2018-19 Refuse Recycling Consultants Study), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a professional services contract with Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc., 1109 First Avenue, Suite 400, Seattle, Washington, 98101, to pay for the Recycling Program Consultant Study contract.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $21,562.50, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 5902 (Division of Refuse Collection), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $86,250.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2220 (General Government Grant Fund), ), Dept-Div 5902 (Division of Refuse Collection), Grant G591900 (2018-19 Refuse Recycling Consultants Study), in Object Class 03 (Purchased Services), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
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.