Title
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HER DESIGNEE TO ENTER INTO A WETLAND MITIGATION AGREEMENT WITH THE STREAM + WETLANDS FOUNDATION FOR THE VETERANS TRAIL PHASE 3 PROJECT (PID 97856); AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Brief Description: The Veterans Trail Phase 3 project will impact 0.456 acres of jurisdictional wetlands. The US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have determined that 1.1 acres of forested wetland mitigation credits must be purchased from the Stream + Wetlands Foundation to mitigate these impacts.
Body
Legislative History
14-145 - Authorized City to Enter into LPA Agreement with ODOT; passed 12/3/2014
17-6 - Authorized Contract with Michael Baker for Design Services; passed 1/17/2017
18-76 - Authorized Addendum with Michael Baker for Add’l Consulting Services; passed 6/5/2018
Purpose & Explanation
The project will include the installation of a 10-foot-wide multi-use asphalt path and on-road path between Veterans Way Park and Barlow Road. The proposed path will impact 0.456 acres of jurisdictional wetlands. The ACOE has visited the site and confirmed the limits of the wetland disturbance. To mitigate the disturbance a condition of the ACOE and EPA Approval requires the purchase of 1.1 acres of forested wetland mitigation credits from the Granger Mitigation Bank. The reason that the credits must be purchased from the Granger Mitigation Bank is because the ACOE and EPA have determined that these credits are the most appropriate to mitigate the wetland impacts of this project. These credits are available for purchase through the Stream + Wetlands Foundation for a total of $60,500.00. This fee is based on sale price of $55,000/acre of forested wetland mitigation credits and a required mitigation of 1.1 acres. The 1.1 acres of mitigation was determined based upon Ohio Administrative Code 3745-1-54 of the Ohio Administrative Code which indicates the various wetland mitigation ratios depending on the wetland category. A 10% deposit in the amount of $6,050.00 was already paid to reserve these credits. The balance of $54,450 is due within 30 days of receiving the approved ACOE Permit which is anticipated to be approved in the next few months.
Legal Authority for Proposed Legislation
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04:
Competitively bid and advertised for two consecutive weeks
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
X Professional Services
Other
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
X Supplemental Appropriation Required (205 Fund - $60,500)
Appropriation Not Required
Does this legislation require use of an emergency clause?
X Yes - The remainder of the funds will be due within the coming weeks.
No
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends that City Council approve this authorization for the City Manager or her designee to enter into a mitigation agreement with Stream + Wetlands Foundation to mitigate wetland impacts for the Veterans Trail Phase 3 project in the amount of $60,500.00.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Thomas J. Sheridan, P.E., P.S., Assistant City Manager - Professional Services
Bradley S. Kosco, P.E., P.S., City Engineer
Nate Wonsick, P.E., Assistant City Engineer