Explanation
1. BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into professional engineering services agreement with EMH&T, Inc. for the 2018 Sidewalk and Streetlight General Engineering Project, for the Division of Power, in an amount up to $500,000.00.
The intent of this contract is to provide the Department of Public Utilities, in conjunction with the Department of Public Service and the Department of Neighborhoods, with contractual access to additional resources that are necessary to perform professional engineering and survey services as well as provide technical expertise for the Department of Neighborhoods to implement sidewalk and streetlight projects for the City’s Comprehensive Neighborhood Safety Strategy initiative.
The Comprehensive Neighborhood Safety Strategy (CNSS) will address social determinants of safety through dedicated funding and cross-agency partnerships. Neighborhood Crisis Response, led by the Department of Neighborhoods, will drive investments in our target communities.
The work will include all survey, engineering and consulting services required for the design of small sidewalk and streetlight projects in the Linden neighborhood.
The community planning area for this project is “45 - South Linden”.
TIMELINE: It is intended that the contract will remain open until all the funds are expended.
2. ECONOMIC IMPACT/ADVANTAGES; COMMUNITY OUTREACH; PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT:
The project was initiated by the Department of Neighborhoods through outreach that has occurred in the Linden area. Streetlights will incorporate LED technology that will generate savings in electric energy and long-term maintenance which will be a significant economic impact and reduce greenhouse gases to the environment. Additionally, the proposed project will greatly improve the aesthetics of the affected area.
3. BID INFORMATION: The selection of the firm providing the professional engineering services has been performed in accordance with the procedures set forth in Columbus City Code, Section 329, "Awarding professional service contracts through requests for proposals." The evaluation criteria for this contract included: 1. Understanding of the Project, 2. Environmentally Preferable, 3. Past Performance, and 4. Local Workforce.
On November 30, 2018, the Department received six proposals from: EMH&T, Transystem Corp., Osborn Engineering, MS Consultants, Ribway Engineering, and Trans Associate.
An evaluation committee reviewed the proposals and scored them based on the criteria mentioned above. The Department of Public Utilities recommends that the 2018 Sidewalk and Streetlight General Engineering Project be awarded to EMH&T, Inc.
The Contract Compliance Number for EMH&T, Inc. is 31-0685594 (expires 1/19/20, MAJ, DAX No. 4214).
Searches in the Excluded Party List System (Federal) and the Findings for Recovery list (State) produced no findings against EMH&T, Inc.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: It is requested this this Ordinance be handled in an emergency manner in order to maintain project due dates and grant requirements.
5. FISCAL IMPACT: Funding is provided by Community Development Block Grant, Fund 2248.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services agreement with EMH&T, Inc., for professional engineering services for the 2018 Sidewalk and Streetlight General Engineering Project; for the Division of Power; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure up to $500,000.00 from Community Development Block Grant; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, six technical proposals for professional engineering services for the 2018 Streetlight Design Project were received on November 30, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities recommends that the agreement for the 2018 Sidewalk and Streetlight General Engineering Project be awarded to EMH&T, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of funds from the Community Development Block Grant; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Power, Department of Public Utilities, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a professional engineering services agreement with EMH&T, Inc. for the 2018 Sidewalk and Streetlight General Engineering Project in order to maintain project due dates and grant requirements; for the immediate preservation of the 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 Public Utilities is hereby authorized to enter into a professional engineering services agreement with EMH&T, Inc. (FID# 31-0685594), 5500 New Albany Road, Columbus, Ohio 43054; for the 2018 Sidewalk and Streetlight General Engineering Project; for an expenditure up to $500,000.00 in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts on file in the Office of the Division of Power.
SECTION 2. That the appropriation and expenditure of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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 hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unencumbered balance in the project account to the unallocated balance 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 no longer required for said project; except that no transfer shall be made from a project account by monies from more than one source.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper project accounting numbers as appropriate.
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 for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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.