Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the FRA-70-22.85 (Far East Freeway Phases 2&3) project, PID 98232.
The aforementioned effort, which is slated to commence in the spring of 2024, encompasses various improvements including: installing additional westbound lanes on I-70, reconstructing the I-70 WB to I-270 NB ramp, and upgrading the I-70/Brice Road interchange.
ODOT will ask the City to approve final legislation for the project at a later date. At that time, the Director of Public Service shall seek Council approval to encumber and expend funds to support the local share of associated construction costs.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
The Department of Public Service has agreed to contribute a maximum of $5,000,000.00 toward construction of FRA-70-22.85 (Far East Freeway Phases 2&3) project, PID 98232. Legislation authorizing the encumbrance and expenditure of funding to support the local share of construction costs will be authorized under a separate ordinance at a later time.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
This legislation is being put forth as an emergency measure as the Department of Public Service is required to provide a certified copy of this ordinance to ODOT on or before September 15, 2023, in order to expedite the project and to promote highway safety.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation relative to the FRA-70-22.85 project; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is administering the FRA-70-22.85 (Far East Freeway Phases 2&3) project, PID 98232, which encompasses various improvements including: installing additional westbound lanes on I-70, reconstructing the I-70 WB to I-270 NB ramp, and upgrading the I-70/Brice Road interchange; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned project is located within the corporate boundaries of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to grant consent and to agree to cooperate with ODOT relative to the aforementioned project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize consent and cooperation for this project as the Department of Public Service is required to provide a certified copy of this ordinance to ODOT on or before September 15, 2023, in order to expedite the project and to promote highway safety, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That the following is an Ordinance enacted by the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, hereinafter referred to as the Local Public Agency (LPA).
SECTION 1 - PROJECT DESCRIPTION
WHEREAS, the STATE has identified the need for the described project:
Provide additional westbound lanes on I-70, reconstruct the I-70 WB to I-270 NB ramp, and upgrade the I-70/Brice Rd interchange along with associated work within the City limits.
SECTION 2 - CONSENT STATEMENT
Being in the public interest, the LPA gives consent to the Director of Transportation to complete the above described project.
SECTION 3 - COOPERATION STATEMENT
The LPA shall cooperate with the Director of Transportation in the above described project as follows:
The LPA agrees to contribute $5,000,000.00 towards the cost of construction for the project. The aforementioned sum represents the maximum obligation to be incurred by the LPA relative to the completion of the project.
SECTION 4 - MAINTENANCE
Upon completion of the described Project, and unless otherwise agreed, the LPA shall: (1) provide adequate maintenance for the described Project in accordance with all applicable state and federal law, including, but not limited to, 23 USC 116; (2) provide ample financial provisions, as necessary, for the maintenance of the described Project; (3) maintain the right-of-way, keeping it free of obstructions; and (4) hold said right-of-way inviolate for public highway purposes.
SECTION 5 - AUTHORITY TO SIGN
The Director of Public Service of said City of Columbus is hereby empowered on behalf of the City of Columbus to enter into contracts with ODOT pre-qualified consultants for the preliminary engineering phase of the Project and to enter into contracts with the Director of Transportation necessary to complete the above described project.
Upon the request of ODOT, the Director of Public Service is also empowered to assign all rights, title, and interests of the City of Columbus to ODOT arising from any agreement with its consultant in order to allow ODOT to direct additional or corrective work, recover damages due to errors or omissions, and to exercise all other contractual rights and remedies afforded by law or equity.
The LPA agrees that if Federal Funds are used to pay the cost of any consultant contract, the LPA shall comply with 23 CFR 172 in the selection of its consultant and the administration of the consultant contract. Further the LPA agrees to incorporate ODOT’s “Specifications for Consulting Services” as a contract document in all of its consultant contracts. The LPA agrees to require, as a scope of services clause, that all plans prepared by the consultant must conform to ODOT’s current design standards and that the consultant shall be responsible for ongoing consultant involvement during the construction phase of the Project. The LPA agrees to include a completion schedule acceptable to ODOT and to assist ODOT in rating the consultant's performance through ODOT’s Consultant Evaluation System.
SECTION 6 - EMERGENCY
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 and or vetoes the same.