Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
The Public Service Department is engaged in the NCR - Weinland Park 7th to 9th project. Project improvements include sidewalks on both sides of High Street, planter beds and street trees, lighting and signal upgrades, storm improvements and undergrounding of both private and public overhead utilities. This project complies with the recommendation of the Pedestrian Thoroughfare Plan, encouraging pedestrian and bicycle travel with the installation of bike lanes, sidewalks, and curbs ramps.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements, it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements or place overhead utilities underground to promote public health, safety and the welfare including the economic development of the City. These relocations are in areas where the City has previously allowed utilities, but due to this project there is a need to relocate them underground.
This legislation authorizes payment for utility relocation work by American Electric Power, AT&T, Time Warner, WOW, and other utilities as needed in an amount up to $750,000.00 for the NCR - Weinland Park 7th to 9th project. The funding request for utilities relocation reimbursement is based upon estimates from the utilities. The utilities will invoice the City for actual costs incurred in relocating the utilities. The amount needed may exceed the amount requested in this ordinance. Additional legislation will be submitted by the Department of Public Service if additional funds are needed to complete the relocations.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for this project are available within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, as part of the Department of Public Service’s 2016 Capital Improvement Budget.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Public Service is requesting emergency designation so as to provide funding for utility reimbursements at the earliest possible time to maintain the project construction schedule.
Title
To amend the 2016 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds between projects within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to pay utility relocation costs to various utilities for the NCR - Weinland Park 7th to 9th project; to authorize the expenditure of $750,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for utility relocations for this project from the Streets & Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($750,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department is engaged in the NCR - Weinland Park 7th to 9th project which includes sidewalks on both sides of High Street, planter beds and street trees, lighting and signal upgrades, storm improvements and undergrounding of both private and public overhead utilities; and
WHEREAS, it necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements or place overhead utilities underground to promote public health, safety and the welfare including the economic development of the City utility relocations must be completed before construction can begin; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director to pay for utility relocation work by American Electric Power, AT&T, Time Warner, WOW, and other utilities as needed, in an amount up to $750,000.00 for the 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 payment for utility relocation expenses at the earliest possible time to prevent construction delays, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2016 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 0960-2016 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /Amended
7704 / P530058-100000 / 59-03 NCR (Voted 2013 Debt SIT Supported) / $2,500,000.00 / ($750,000.00) / $1,750,000.00
7704 / P530058-100002 / NCR - Weinland Park 7th to 9th (Voted 2013 Debt SIT Supported) / $0.00 / $750,000.00 / $750,000.00
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer of $750,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, between projects within Fund 7704 Streets and Highways G.O. Bond Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to reimburse utility relocation costs to American Electric Power, AT&T, Time Warner, WOW, and other utilities as necessary, for the NCR - Weinland Park 7th to 9th project.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $750,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 Streets and Highways G.O. Bond Fund in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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 8. For the reasons stated in this ordinance's preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and is effective and in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this ordinance.