Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with EDGE Group, Inc. for professional services associated with the final design plans and bidding documents for the Ulry Warner Park Improvements Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $454,533.00.
In 2013, the Recreation and Parks Department acquired a 45 acre property in the city’s far northeast area intended to be 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 for this modification, as well as construction of the park scheduled to begin in 2022, are being provided by the Albany Crossing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) subsidy. The use of TIF funding to pay for the design and construction of this park are based on development fees being collected for public improvements during the rapid growth in this area of the city.
In 2020, Ordinance 0915-2020 authorized a consultant contract to develop a Master Plan for the park by engaging with the surrounding neighborhoods, stakeholders, and departmental staff to determine a preferred layout as well as amenities. This stage also obtained a detailed site inventory, preliminary engineering, and cost estimating. From this plan and report, the department selected priority construction items needed to open the park to the public. This contract modification was anticipated in the initial request for proposals and referenced in the previously authorized Ordinance 0915-2020. Improvements being designed for this park project include athletic fields, walking paths, natural play spaces, shelters, parking areas, a challenge course, and four new connections to surrounding neighborhoods. The project will also include wetland enhancements, forest preservation, and forest expansion. Final plans and permitting will occur in 2021 and construction of the park is set to begin in 2022.
Principal Parties:
EDGE Group, Inc.
330 West Spring Street, Suite 350, Columbus, OH 43215
Tedd Hardesty, (614) 486-3343
Contract Compliance Number, Tax ID: 001500, 20-8054208
May 8, 2022
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to enable the consultant team to perform the necessary design, plan review, approval, and bidding documents by the end of 2021 as the construction contract will be bid in early 2022.
Benefits to the Public: Ulry Warner Park will be one of the major greenspaces for the entire far northeast region of the city. 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 three years.
Community Input/Issues: Since 2014, the local communities have been extensively engaged with the Recreation and Parks Department on the land acquisition and its anticipated uses. 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 of Columbus Department of Development to organize the funding. Civic groups involved include Asherton Grove Homeowner Association, Upper Albany West, and Albany Crossing. Two new large subdivisions are currently under construction surrounding the park space.
Area(s) Affected: Rocky Fork-Blacklick (33)
Master Plan Relation: This project supports the departments’ Master Plan by providing quality recreational parks, trails, and easy connectivity for Columbus residents of all ages.
Fiscal Impact: The expenditure of $84,663.16 was legislated for the Ulry Warner Park Improvements project by Ordinance 0915-2020. This ordinance will provide funding that will modify the previously authorized amount by $454,533.00. $454,533.00 is budgeted and available from within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441 to meet the financial obligations of this contract modification. The aggregate total amount authorized, including this modification, is $539,196.16.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with EDGE Group, Inc. for professional services associated with the final design plans and bidding documents for the Ulry Warner Park Improvements Project, to authorize the City Auditor to appropriate $454,533.00 within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund; to authorize the transfer of $454,533.00 between projects within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $454,533.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($454,533.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with EDGE Group, Inc. for professional services associated with the final design plans and bidding documents for the Ulry Warner Park Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the City Auditor to appropriate $454,533.00 within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $454,533.00 between projects within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $454,533.00 from the Albany Crossing TIF Fund 7441; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to modify this contract to enable the consultant team to perform the necessary design, plan review, approval, and bidding documents by the end of 2021 as the construction contract will be bid in early 2022, all for the preservation of 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 modify an existing contract with EDGE Group, Inc. for professional services associated with the final design plans and bidding documents for the Ulry Warner Park Improvements Project. The amount of the modification is $454,533.00 and the aggregate total amount authorized, including this modification, is $539,196.16.
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 $454,533.00 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 $454,533.00 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 $454,533.00 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.