Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with GPD Group for the Alkire Park Improvements - Phase 1 Design Project. The contract amount is $104,937.00, with a contingency of $12,061.00, for a total of $116,998.00 being authorized by this ordinance.
In 2007, the Recreation and Parks Department acquired 110 acres of former farmland on the city’s east side, near the Village of Galloway. The property is located within the Big Darby environmental preservation area. It is considered a key preservation site for the watershed on the boundary of Columbus and the Big Darby. As part of the acquisition, 25 acres of land was set aside for a future neighborhood park for Columbus residents in the Laurel Greene and Southwest Airport Neighborhoods.
In 2020, OHM Advisors worked with the Recreation and Parks Department, Westland Area Commission, and the Darby Accord Advisory Group to create a master plan for Alkire Park. The master plan demonstrates a low-impact, sustainable park that provides a natural, accessible, and multi-generational recreation space to the surrounding neighborhoods.
The Alkire Park Improvements - Phase 1 Design Project will include the production of all bidding and construction documents necessary to build out phase 1 of the master plan for Alkire Park. Phase 1 includes site earthwork, demolition, utilities, parking area, drive, portable toilet screens, landscaping, a playground, site furnishings, and path connections to nearby neighborhoods and the Camp Chase Trail.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (ODI designation status):
Proposals were advertised to three pre-qualified A/E firms that were prequalified through the biannual Request for Statement of Qualification (RFSQ) process through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on May 3, 2021 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on May 17, 2021. Request for proposals were sent to the following companies:
GPD Group (MAJ)
EG, Inc. (MAJ)
The Mannick & Smith Group, Inc. (MAJ)
Of note, professional services 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, conducted short list interviews, and recommended GPD Group be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline, and project approach.
Principal Parties:
GPD Group
1801 Watermark Drive, Suite 210
Jeff Evans, PE, 614-210-0751
Contract Compliance Number, Tax ID: 006560, 34-1134715
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: May 20, 2023
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so the design services can be completed in order to have final construction documents ready for bidding in January of 2022.
Benefits to the Public: Alkire Road Park will be a significant greenspace for the Westland Neighborhood. The scale of park will allow for direct neighborhood connections to preserved prairie land, open space, a new playground, and connection to the Camp Chase Trail.
Community Input/Issues: The Westland Area Commission has been advocating for the development of Alkire Park for several years. Input has been gathered during the master planning and programming phase of Alkire Park development with Westland Area Commission, the Darby Accord Advisory Group, and Prairie Township. Those advocacy groups will also be engaged during the phase 1 design phase to gather consensus on the design elements.
Area(s) Affected: Westland (52)
Master Plan Relation: This project supports the department’s Master Plan by providing quality recreational parks, trails, and easy, all-age connectivity for Columbus residents.
Fiscal Impact: $116,998.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with GPD Group for the Alkire Park Improvements - Phase 1 Project; to authorize the appropriation of $116,998.00 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; to authorize the expenditure of $116,998.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($116,998.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with GPD Group for the Alkire Park Improvements - Phase 1 Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation of $116,998.00 within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $116,998.00 from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747; 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 enter into contract with GPD Group so the design can be completed in order to have final construction documents ready for bidding in January of 2022, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare and, 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 GPD Group for the Alkire Park Improvements - Phase 1 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 appropriation of $116,998.00 is authorized within the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $116,998.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 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.