Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with EDGE Group Inc. to perform design services for the development of Ulry/Warner Park.
Background: In 2013, the Department acquired a 45 acre property in the city’s Far Northeast area. The site was acquired for a future community park for thousands of residents in one of the city’s fastest growing communities. The parkland has been on the area’s high priority list for development, and funds are being provided by the Rocky Fork/Blacklick Tax Increment Funding (TIF) to pay for the design and construction of Phase 1 of the new park. This contract will involve engaging with the surrounding neighborhoods to determine preferred layouts and amenities, detailed site inventory and preliminary engineering, and selection of the priority construction items to open the park to the public. Upon successful completion of the master plan and selection of the improvements for Phase 1 development, the Department will submit a contract modification to the Commission and City Council to create the final construction bid documents. The costs of the Phase 1 construction project will also be provided by TIF funds, up to $1.5 million.
Improvements under consideration for this park project include: athletic fields, walking paths, natural play spaces, shelter(s), parking areas, wetland enhancement, challenge course, forest preservation and expansion, and 4 path connections to surrounding communities.
Proposals were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on January 21, 2020, and received by Recreation and Parks on February 11, 2020. The Department received proposals from:
Company Status Amount
Mannik/Smith (MAJ) Design Bid - N/A
MKSK (MAJ) Design Bid - N/A
JMT (MAJ) Design Bid - N/A
EDGE Group (MAJ) Design Bid - N/A
EDG (MAJ) Design Bid - N/A
In accordance with City Code, a selection team evaluated the proposals and recommended that EDGE Group Inc. be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen on their project approach, qualifications, availability, timeline, and reference projects.
Principal Parties:
EDGE Group Inc.
330 West Spring Street
Suite 350
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 486-3343
Contact: Tedd Hardesty
thardesty@edgela.com <mailto:thardesty@edgela.com>
Tax ID #: 20-8054208
CC001500
Emergency Justification: This project is requested to be an emergency due to the tight timeframe required to engage the public and perform the necessary site inventory and schematic design in the next 180 days. The TIF funding is tied to Phase 1 of the park being readied for a construction contract bidding in early 2021.
Benefits to the Public: The Ulry Warner Park will be one of the major greenspaces for the entire Far Northeast region. The scale of park will accommodate a wide range of recreation for all ages, and will be accessible to over 4,000 nearby residents. Future subdivision projects underway will add an additional 1,000 residents to the walkshed within the next 3 years.
Community Input Issues: Since 2014, the local communities have been extensively engaged with Recreation and Parks in the acquisition, anticipated uses, access, surrounding zonings, services, street improvements, and land use planning around this park. The TIF committee charged with prioritizing funds for the community’s infrastructure identified the park as one of the highest priorities for development, and worked with the City’s Development Department to organize the funding. Civic groups involved include Asherton Grove HOA, Upper Albany West, and Albany Crossing. Two new large subdivisions are currently under construction surrounding the park space.
Area(s) Affected: Community 33-Rocky Fork/Blacklick
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan to provide quality recreational parks, trails, and easy, all-age connectivity for Columbus residents.
Fiscal Impact: $84,663.16 is budgeted and available from within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with EDGE Group Inc. to perform design services for the development of Ulry/Warner Park; to authorize the City Auditor to appropriate $84,663.16 within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund; to authorize the transfer of $84,663.16 between projects within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $84,663.16 from the Albany Crossing TIF Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($84,663.16)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with EDGE Group Inc. to perform design services for the development of Ulry/Warner Park; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the City Auditor to appropriate $84,663.16 within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $84,663.16 between projects within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $84,663.16 from the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441; 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 of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with EDGE Group Inc. due to the tight timeframe required to engage the public and perform the necessary site inventory and schematic design in the next 180 days, 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 the Director of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with EDGE Group Inc. to perform design services for the development of Ulry/Warner Park.
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 appropriation of $84,663.16 is authorized within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the transfer of $84,663.16 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441.
SECTION 7. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $84,663.16 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.