Explanation
This ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with Burgess & Niple (ord. 1556-2017 and 1272-2019) to provide detailed engineering and design services associated with the preparation of final construction documents for a park and boat ramp that will integrate with the development of the Arena District/Confluence Village Connector Bridge and Confluence Village Park.
Background: For several years, the planned redevelopment around the west end of Nationwide Blvd has envisioned a park space along the east bank of the Olentangy River. This parkland will include a complete reconstruction of the Olentangy Downtown Boat Ramp and build park amenities along the east bank of the river for residents, employees, and visitors. Our current professional services contract is to construct a connector bridge from the regional Olentangy Trail to Nationwide Boulevard, linking Central Ohio’s most heavily used trail corridor to the core of two of Columbus’ major destinations, Confluence Village and the Arena District.
By modifying this contract, final plans for the park space, boat ramp, and pedestrian bridge can be bid and constructed as one project. This would enable the development to coincide with major civic projects within Confluence Village, including the new stadium and mixed use developments. This provides overall cost efficiency to build the park and ramp, and critical pedestrian and bike access for the opening of Crew Stadium and Confluence Village.
Per City Code (329.09) as it applies to contract modifications:
1. The amount of additional funds to be expended under these modifications?
a. Requesting $385,000.00 to modify the professional services contract with Burgess and Niple, Inc. to include final construction documents for the Confluence Village Park and Boat Ramp.
2. Why the need for additional funds could not have been seen at the times that the contracts were initially awarded?
a. This modification was known to be coming. It was not realized until after we entered into contract (1556-2017, 1272-2019) with Burgess and Niple, what exactly the park and boat ramp areas could consist of. Once the Confluence Village plans developed in conjunction with plans from Public Service, a scope for the park and the boat ramp could be determined.
3. Why is not in our best interest to award additional work through another procurement process?
a. Burgess and Niple was the Department’s selected vendor for the design services associated with the pedestrian bridge and its surrounding development. There is no other firm positioned to successfully integrate this park and boat ramp plan to coincide with major civic projects within Confluence Village.
4. How were the prices for these modifications determined?
a. Costs were established by negotiating a scope and fee as it was with the original contract. Details became available after plan development of Confluence Village. This scope and fee was negotiated like with any other contract.
Proposals were originally advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on March 15, 2017 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on April 14, 2017. Proposals were received from the following companies:
Vendor Status Amount
Burgess & Niple (MAJ) N/A - Design Bid
Prime AE (MAJ) N/A - Design Bid
Korda Engineering (MAJ) N/A - Design Bid
GPD Group (MAJ) N/A - Design Bid
EMH&T (MAJ) N/A - Design Bid
In accordance with City Code, a selection team evaluated the proposals and recommended Burgess & Niple be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline, and project approach.
Principal Parties:
Burgess & Niple, Inc.
5085 Reed Road
Columbus, Ohio 43220
John Shanks, PE
31-0885550
12/30/2020
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested in that it is immediately necessary to enter into said modification to complete design of the park and boat ramp in order to coincide with large roadway and building construction projects set to advertise for construction in June, 2020.
Benefits to the Public: Over 2 million people visit the Arena District each year. This will increase significantly with the development of Confluence Village and Crew Stadium. The district contains major attractions, special events, employment centers, and rapidly expanding residential living. The Olentangy Trail travels along the west side of the river, but thousands of trail users cannot ride, walk, run, or access the east side. The Confluence Village Park and Boat Ramp will provide a safe, attractive, accessible way to access the Olentangy and Scioto downtown waterways.
The existing Olentangy Boat Ramp was built in the 1970’s, and is unsafe, flood damaged, and been in disrepair for several years. The new ramp will be made easily accessible for kayakers, canoeists, and emergency access to the 14 mile Olentangy Water Trail and the Scioto Mile. The proposed park space will convert a former asphalt parking lot into a vibrant, small scale riverfront park with access to kayaks, bikes, and walking paths along a scenic downtown stretch of the Olentangy River.
Community Input/Issues: For several years the Department has received many inquiries regarding better trail access to Confluence Village as well as an expressed strong desire to improve the riverfront and the Olentangy Boat Ramp for kayaking and canoeing.
Area(s) Affected:
Greater downtown area, Olentangy Trail, special events, all trail users.
Columbus Downtown Community: 55
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to greenways corridors. Improving the environmental health of the city’s waterways; improving recreational access to streams; providing long term protection corridors for water quality and trail development.
Fiscal Impact: The expenditure of $898,362.74 was legislated for the Olentangy Trail - Arena District Connector Bridge project by Ordinance 1556-2017 and 1272-2019. This ordinance will provide additional funding that will modify the previously authorized amount by $385,000.00. $385,000.00 is budgeted and available from and within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract modification. The aggregate total amount authorized, including this modification, is $1,283,362.74.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify an existing professional services contract with Burgess & Niple for engineering and design services associated with the final construction documents for a park and boat ramp that will integrate with the development of the Arena District/Confluence Village Connector Bridge and Confluence Village Park; to authorize the transfer of $385,000.00 between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; to amend the 2019 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1326-2019; to authorize the expenditure of $385,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and to declare an emergency. ($385,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with Burgess & Niple, originally authorized by Ordinance Numbers 1556-2017 and 1272-2019, to provide detailed engineering and design services associated with the preparation of final construction documents for a park and boat ramp that will integrate with the development of the Arena District/Confluence Village Connector Bridge and Confluence Village Park; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $385,000.00 between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2019 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1326-2019; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $385,000.00 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 that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into said modification to complete design of the park and boat ramp in order to coincide with large roadway and building construction projects set to advertise for construction in June, 2020, 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 the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to modify an existing contract with Burgess & Niple (ord. 1556-2017 and 1272-2019) to provide detailed engineering and design services associated with the preparation of final construction documents for a park and boat ramp that will integrate with the development of the Arena District/Confluence Village Connector Bridge and Confluence Village 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 transfer of $385,000.00 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 2019 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1326-2019 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; P512000-100000; New Development - Misc. (SIT Supported) / $1,918,594 / ($385,000) / $1,533,594
Fund 7702; P510306-100003; Olentangy Trail - Arena District Connector Bridge (SIT Supported) / $2,000,000 / $385,000 / $2,385,000
SECTION 7. That, for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $385,000.00 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.