Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with MS Consultants to provide architectural and engineering services for the Hoover Reservoir Amenities 2022 Project. The contract amount is $629,601.16, with a contingency of $210,814.30, for a total of $840,415.46 being authorized by this ordinance.
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department solicited requests for proposals for providing professional engineering services for three sites at Hoover Reservoir and this project will invest capital dollars at three separate locations. The first site, on the north end of the reservoir, will replace an existing boardwalk that is currently closed due to safety concerns. At the second site, work will be performed on the boat ramps and docks located on the west bank of the reservoir at the intersection of Walnut Street and Sunbury Road. The third site, located just north of the boat ramps, is where a proposed ADA accessible fishing pier will be constructed.
Hoover Reservoir provides countless recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands Columbus residents per year, including birding, hiking, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and more. On the north end of the reservoir, the boardwalk was originally constructed in 2006 and has undergone significant maintenance during its 16 year lifespan. Due to current safety concerns, the boardwalk has been closed to users since 2019. An engineering assessment of the boardwalk was completed in 2021 identifying structural and other significant safety concerns. As such, the Recreation and Parks Department is proposing to replace the current boardwalk with a more sustainable design to provide a unique and safe amenity to all residents. Construction is anticipated to start in the fall and winter of 2024 and 2025, taking advantage of the period of time when water levels in the reservoir are the lowest.
Just north of the Walnut Street intersection with Sunbury Road, an ADA accessible fishing pier is being proposed. It has been a desire of the Recreation and Department to provide an ADA accessible platform for residents to enjoy the reservoir and to enjoy activities such as fishing, birdwatching, and other activities that can offered on the water. Adjacent to this location, the boat ramps and dock at the Walnut Street intersection are in dire need of replacement. The ramps and docks are in need of improvements so that they can remain in use and safe for residents accessing the reservoir.
Vendor Bid/Proposal Submissions (ODI designation status):
Proposals were advertised through Vendor Services, in accordance with City Code Section 329, on August 24, 2022 and received by the Recreation and Parks Department on September 14, 2022. Proposals were received from the following companies:
MS Consultants, Inc. (MAJ)
Environmental Design Group (MAJ)
Resource International (WBE)
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 and recommended MS Consultants be selected to perform the work. The firm was chosen based on their referenced projects, experience, qualifications, availability, timeline, and project approach.
Principal Parties:
MS Consultants, Inc.
2221 Schrock Road
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Ken Ricker, (614) 898-7100
Contract Compliance Number, Tax ID: 006998, 34-6546916
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: December 28, 2023
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested as the boardwalk is closed due to structural and safety issues that exist and it is the goal of the department to remove hazardous infrastructure as soon as possible. Furthermore, it is critical from a financial perspective to be prepared to start construction while the water in the reservoir is at its lowest level.
Benefits to the Public: Hoover Reservoir provides countless recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands Columbus residents per year, including birding, hiking, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and more. The three amenities included in this project will provide additional opportunities to experience the reservoir and will also promote ADA accessibility.
Community Input/Issues: Multiple concerned citizens have reached out to the City of Columbus as it relates to accessibility these facilities and to provide more areas for fishing. A common complaint is that fishing is not allowed from any of the dock walkways attached to the boat ramps and this project will help alleviate these concerns by providing a fishing pier. During the development of this project, the community will be engaged and input will be gathered to determine the qualities of the boardwalk, ramps, and docks.
Area(s) Affected: Citywide (99), Project location is outside of Columbus Communities neighborhood boundaries but will serve all residents of Columbus
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by promoting the use of blueways and access to natural areas. In addition, this project provides improved access for different types of watercraft, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Fiscal Impact: $840,415.46 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 MS Consultants to provide professional engineering services for the Hoover Reservoir Amenities 2022 Project; to authorize the transfer of $878,022.32 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund, to authorize the amendment of the 2022 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $840,415.46 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($840,415.46)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with MS Consultants to provide professional engineering services for the Hoover Reservoir Amenities 2022 Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $878,022.32 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2022 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1896-2022 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $840,415.46 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 of Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with MS Consultants as the boardwalk is closed due to structural and safety issues that exist and it is the goal of the department to remove hazardous infrastructure as soon as possible. Furthermore, it is critical from a financial perspective to be prepared to start construction while the water in the reservoir is at its lowest level, 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 MS Consultants to provide professional engineering services for the Hoover Reservoir Amenities 2022 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 $878,022.32 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 2022 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1896-2022 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 / P510124-100000 / Davis Center Renovation (Voted Carryover) / $586,720 / ($586,720) / $0 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P510119-100000 / Central Maintenance Zone Headquarters (Voted Carryover) / $60,387 / $503,930 / $564,317 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P510126-100000 / Indian Mound Facility (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $252,725 / $252,725 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P510119-100000 / Central Maintenance Zone Headquarters (Voted Carryover) / $564,317 / ($564,317) / $0
Fund 7702 / P510126-100000 / Indian Mound Facility (Voted Carryover) / $252,725 / ($252,725) / $0
Fund 7702 / P517000-100000 / Opportunity Projects - Misc. (Voted Carryover) / $136,119 / ($60,981) / $75,138
Fund 7702 / P511000-100000 / Renovation - Misc. (Voted Carryover) / $218,560 / $37,607 / $256,167
Fund 7702 / P511018-202201 / Hoover Reservoir Amenities 2022 (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $840,416 / $840,416
SECTION 7. For the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $840,415.46 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the 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.