Explanation
This ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with EMH&T for an environmental survey of the Big Walnut Trail corridor, from Canal Winchester Pike to Refugee Road.
Background: The Big Walnut Trail is under development as a 28 mile regional trail from Hoover Reservoir to the Scioto River. The southern section of the corridor spans several miles through the southeast side of the city. Over 9,000 residents live within minutes of this corridor, and over 4 parks are within the study zone. These neighborhoods have very little access to trails and the Southeast area is underserved by walking and biking facilities.
The Department has currently 2 miles of trail in this area. The next phase involves a section connecting Nafzger Park to Winchester Pike. To begin plan preparation the Department requested proposals for an environmental inventory of the greenway corridor to determine a potential trail route with the least impact to the riparian corridor. The inventory will include wetland determinations, cultural resource inventories, and potential access points for the public.
In October of 2018 the Department issued a Request for Proposals for providing services to perform the study. The proposals were received on November 1, 2018 and evaluated by a selection committee per City Code 329.14.
Seven responses were evaluated. After review, the selection team recommended the firm of EMH & T be contracted to perform the services.
Bids were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, in October 2018 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on November 1, 2018.
Company Status
American Structurepoint, Inc. (MAJ)
Davey Resource Group, Inc. (MAJ)
EMH & T (MAJ)
MS Consultants, Inc. (MAJ)
Michael Baker International (MAJ)
Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson, Inc. (MAJ)
Lawhon and Associates, Inc. (FBE)
After reviewing the proposals that were submitted, it was determined that EMH & T was the firm that the selection team recommended.
EMH & T and all proposed subcontractors have met code requirements with respect to prequalification, pursuant to relevant sections of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.
Principal Parties:
EMH & T
5500 New Albany Road
Columbus, OH 43054
Robert Milligan
CCN: CC004214
May 21, 2019
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested so that the consultant can do the field work and provide the finished report by April 2019 for detailed design.
Benefits to the Public: Cycling, walking, running, and active trail uses provide highly recognized year-round benefits to urban lifestyles. Access to trails and to key destinations is one of the top rated priorities noted by residents.
Community Input/Issues: The department has had extensive interaction with the Southeast area community and regional trail collaboration with Central Ohio Greenways, and the area commission.
Area(s) Affected: Planning Area 57 and 65.
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors. Provide safe east/west connections for nearby neighborhoods to the regional trail network.
Fiscal Impact: $53,475.00 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 EMH&T for an environmental survey of the Big Walnut Trail corridor, from Canal Winchester Pike to Refugee Road; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer $54,552.96 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund, to amend the 2018 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $53,475.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($53,475.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with EMH&T for an environmental survey of the Big Walnut Trail corridor, from Canal Winchester Pike to Refugee Road; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $54,552.96 withing the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize that the 2018 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1010-2018 be amended in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this legislation and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $53,475 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 contract with EMH&T for an environmental survey so that the consultant can do the field work and provide the finished report by April 2019 for detailed design, therby preserving the public health, safety and welfare; 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 to enter into contract with EMH&T for an environmental survey of the Big Walnut Trail corridor, from Canal Winchester Pike to Refugee Road.
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. That the transfer of $54,552.96 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the 2018 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1010-2018 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects.
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / Amended
Fund 7702; P510903-100000; Olentangy Water Trail - King Ave. Access Grant Match (Voted Carryover) / $25,965 / $28,588 / $54,553 (to match cash)
Fund 7702; P510903-100000; Olentangy Water Trail - King Ave. Access Grant Match (Voted Carryover) / $54,553 / ($54,553) / $0
Fund 7702; P510304-100002; Big Walnut Trail - Nafzger Park to Winchester Pike (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $54,553 / $54,553
SECTION 7. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $53,475.00 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 attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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.