Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to modify an existing contract with Legat Architects for professional services for the Aquatic Capital Improvement Program 2020 Project. The modification amount being authorized by this ordinance is $187,530.00.
Learning how to swim and safely enjoy the water is a life-long skill. This recreational activity is a core priority of the Recreation and Parks Department. In 2019, the department completed a system-wide strategic plan to analyze the state of recreational facilities, programs, inclusivity, and access for residents to parks, trails, sports, and pools. A key finding of the plan was that the city’s aquatics program, serving thousands of youth and adults city-wide, was in substantial need of an updated capital improvement implementation program to determine how to handle the system’s aging pools, increased demand, and rapidly growing population.
In early February 2021, Ordinance 0161-2021 authorized the Department to conduct a comprehensive analysis of all of the Department’s 14 pools and spray grounds as well as the indoor Columbus Aquatics Center. A preliminary inventory shows that Columbus lags far behind cities of similar size with available pool space, access, financial sustainability, location, along with substantial maintenance costs due to aging facilities well beyond their service life.
The project involved a full assessment of all the city’s aquatic facilities, including operating costs, mechanical components, electrical components, interior conditions, exterior conditions, ADA compliance, programming constraints, and populations served. The project also included robust public engagement with key stakeholders and neighborhoods to help reach consensus on what trends, needs, and goals for success can be achieved in the next 10 years.
By modifying this contract, we will finish the master plan and advance the design of five identified facilities. These facilities will include the Aquatics Center, Marion Franklin Pool, Tuttle Pool, a prototype generic outdoor facility, and a prototype indoor facility. This additional $187,530.00 is a planned modification that was anticipated at the beginning of this project. Initially this project determined what our aquatics programs and facilities should consist of. Once that was determined, the project is finished by putting anticipated costs into a capital plan. It is not in the best interests of the department to award this continued work through another procurement process and vendor due to the fact that Legat has prepared approximately three-quarters of the project to date. The price for this modification was determined using exiting hourly rates established in the initial contract multiplied by anticipated hours to complete the project.
Principal Parties:
Legat Architects, Inc.
22 East Gay Street, Suite 500
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Carli Sekalla 614-228-7758
Contract Compliance Number, Tax ID: 026669, 36-3003268
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: November 30, 2022
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested so the design development of the facilities listed can move forward to completion without delay, keeping disruption to swim seasons to a minimum during future construction.
Benefits to the Public: Columbus is the 14th largest city in the nation and has experienced record growth over the last five years. Coupled with this growth is a substantial increase in the need for quality recreational opportunities that can serve a diverse, active, and inclusive population. This comprehensive Aquatics Capital Improvement Program and planning effort analyzes the condition of both indoor and outdoor aquatics facilities. By conducting an analysis of partnering opportunities with private aquatic centers, facilitating community outreach to validate the benefits of existing aquatics facilities, and providing recommendations for future aquatics expansion throughout Columbus, this documentation is critical to the success of our aquatics programs.
Community Input/Issues: As part of this project, residents and organizations have been engaged to help determine programming needs, revenue generating ideas, and the desires of the communities impacted by this project. The communities have expressed a strong desire for additional aquatic facilities for recreation, especially for relief during the heat of the summer and indoor opportunities during the cold weather months. Of utmost importance of our aquatics programs are the safety impact of them, teaching the fundamentals of swimming and providing the locations to practice these skills. These numbers can be greatly increased with updates to the current facilities and expanding aquatics into additional Columbus neighborhoods.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project supports the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s Master Plan by performing an overall assessment of the productivity of aquatics spaces and amenities to guide improvements. This long range plan will guide future improvements to existing facilities and expansions of the system.
Fiscal Impact: The expenditure of $306,560.00 was legislated for Aquatics Capital Improvements Program 2020 Project by Ordinance 0161-2021. This ordinance will provide funding that will modify the previously authorized amount by $187,530.00. $187,530.00 is budgeted and available in 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 $494,090.00.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with Legat Architects for the Aquatic Capital Improvement Program 2020 Project; to authorize the transfer of $187,530.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund, to authorize the amendment of the 2021 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $187,530.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($187,530.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to modify an existing contract with Legat Architects for the Aquatic Capital Improvement Program 2020 Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $187,530.00 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2021 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 2707-2021 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $187,530.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; 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 so the design development of the facilities listed can move forward to completion without delay, keeping disruption to swim seasons to a minimum during future construction, 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 modify an existing contract with Legat Architects for the Aquatic Capital Improvement Program 2020 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 $187,530.00 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 2021 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 2707-2021 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. (Voted Carryover); $1,846,972 / ($187,530) / $1,659,442
Fund 7702; P512021-100000; Aquatics Capital Improvement Program 2020 - Phase 1 (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $187,530 / $187,530
SECTION 7. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $187,530.00 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.