Explanation
This ordinance is to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Michael Baker International, in the amount of $211,086.00, to provide professional engineering services for the Downtown Connector Trail Improvements Project.
Background: The Downtown Connector Trail (DCT) is a vital connection link and active transportation corridor for the City. Totaling approximately 4.1 miles in length, the DCT is a combination of greenway trail, bicycle boulevards, and shared use paths which link the Alum Creek Trail and Eastside neighborhoods to Downtown Columbus and Scioto Trail. Scaling out further, the DCT is part of the state-spanning Ohio to Erie Trail, which connects Columbus to Cleveland and Cincinnati. In addition to the Shepard, Mt. Vernon, and Woodland Park neighborhoods that are in reach to the trail, several important organizations and education centers are along the DCT. Beatty Park Elementary School, Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, Columbus State Community College, and OSU Outpatient Care East are among the many important organizations along the trail. The overarching goal with improving the DCT is to enhance the trail to create a safe, accessible, and enjoyable greenway experience for the community. The significance of the trail is self-evident, and CRPD recognizes the urgency to improve trail conditions for the nationally-recognized trail.
The Project involves making design improvements to approximately 2.8 miles of the DCT greenway, including but not limited to; pavement widening, curb ramp replacement, signalization/intersection/crosswalk improvements, bridge joint modifications utility coordination, storm water analysis, trail artwork coordination, street tree additions, and the potential inclusion of landscape improvements. The Project begins at N Nelson Road and ends at Cleveland Avenue. Due to project size, the project is broken into two phases based on scope complexity, and each phase’s deliverables will include a complete set of construction drawings, opinions of probable construction cost, specifications, and all bidding documents needed for a successful project.
Proposals were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on February 26th, 2020 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on March 18, 2020. Proposals were received from the following companies:
Company Name Status Amount*
MS Consultants (Columbus) MAJ N/A - Design Bid
Michael Baker International (Columbus) MAJ N/A - Design Bid
Moody Engineering (Columbus) MBE N/A - Design Bid
*Note, design contracts are quality based selections and not based on price. Costs were not requested nor where they part of this evaluation.
In accordance with City Code, a selection team evaluated the proposals and recommended Michael Baker International be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline, and project approach.
Principal Parties:
Michael Baker International
250 West Street, Suite 420
Columbus, OH, 43215
Sonja Simpson, 614-538-7627, Sonja.simpson@mbakerintl.com
25-1228638
12/20/2021
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested in order to enter into this contract so that construction can begin in the early spring of 2021 and be substantially complete prior to year’s end. Constructing these improvements within one construction season supports the financial needs of the Department and supports the desires of the public.
Benefits to the Public: Cycling, walking, running, and other active trail uses provide highly recognized year-round benefits to urban lifestyles. This trail acts as a major regional connector, directly connecting Alum Creek trail (24 miles in length, spanning from Westerville to South Columbus) to Downtown Columbus. This trail segment is also an integral part of the Ohio to Erie trail, which trail users all around the State enjoy.
Community Input/Issues: The community has been asking for improvements to the Downtown Connector Trail through the 311 Call Center and through requests from Central Ohio Greenway members within MORPC. The trail as it stands currently does not meet the City’s standards for a safe greenway.
Area(s) Affected:
North Central Area Commission (49)
Near East Area Commission (56)
Master Plan Relation: The Downtown Connector Trail Improvement Project improves the safety and enjoyment of the trail. Furthermore, the Project enhances the trail to a well-deserved greenway status by widening the trail, increasing the safety of trail crossings, and improving trail amenities. Trails are a significant component of the City’s health and wellness, diversity, social equity and conservation initiatives.
Fiscal Impact: $211,086.00 is budgeted and available from within 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 Michael Baker International to provide professional engineering services for the Downtown Connector Trail Improvements Project; to authorize the transfer of $211,086.00 between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; to amend the 2019 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1326-2019; to authorize the expenditure of $211,086.00 from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($211,086.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with Michael Baker International, to provide professional engineering services for the Downtown Connector Trail Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize of $211,086.00 or so much thereof as may be needed 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 $211,086.00 from the Voted Recreation and Parks 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 Michael Baker International so that construction can begin in the early spring of 2021, all for the 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 Recreation and Parks is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Michael Baker International, to provide professional engineering services for the Downtown Connector Trail Improvements Project.
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 $211,086.00, 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) / $778,310 / ($211,086) / $567,224
Fund 7702; P512014-100000; Downtown Connector Trail Improvements (SIT Supported) / $0 / $211,086 / $211,086
SECTION 7. That the expenditure of $211,086.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment 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.