Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Participation Agreement with Prairie Townships for the procurement and payment of professional consulting services in connection with the implementation of the Darby Town Center. Prairie Township (the Township) and the city of Columbus (the City) are both local jurisdictions within the Franklin County portion of the Big and Little Darby Creeks' Watershed and have been involved in the Big Darby Accord planning process, a process that is intended to protect the water quality and other natural resources of this planning area, within the context of a balanced development approach and respecting the rights of property owners. The Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan of 2006 designates that the development of a Town Center be a large consideration in the preservation of the Watershed in Franklin County. The Township and the City both have a direct interest in the successful development and creation of the Town Center and desire to bring it closer to implementation.
The cost for hiring the consultant for this initiative is estimated to be approximately $100,000. The City's portion shall not exceed $50,000 (50%). The cost of hiring the consultant will be shared by both jurisdictions and both have agreed to provide funds to finance a portion of the costs of the consultant. It is understood that additional funding may be required and that other Darby Town Center partners may join in an amended participation agreement in the future. The funds will be provided to the Township as the financial agent for the parties hereto, to pay such costs. The willingness of the Township and the City to both participate in this initiative and provide a proportionate share of funding assistance is based upon the understanding and condition that all parties adhere to each and every element and principle contained in this Agreement.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid further delays in the Darby Town Center implementation process.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for the City's $50,000 share of the Participation Agreement is allocated from the General Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Participation Agreement with Prairie Township for professional services in connection with the implementation of the Darby Town Center; to authorize the expenditure of up to $50,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Prairie Township and the city of Columbus are local jurisdictions within the Franklin County portion of the Big and Little Darby Creeks' Watershed (the "Watershed "); and
WHEREAS, Prairie Township and the city of Columbus, the parties to this agreement, have been involved in the Big Darby Accord planning process, which is intended to protect the water quality and other natural resources of this planning area, within the context of a balanced development approach and respecting the rights of property owners; and
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Accord Watershed Master Plan of 2006 designates that the development of a Town Center be a large consideration in the preservation of the Watershed in Franklin County in a balanced manner; and
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Town Center Master Plan was prepared with the cooperation of the parties to more fully define the proposed Town Center and to prepare a framework for its successful development, and said plan was adopted in December 2011 by the parties and by Brown Township and Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, the parties recognize that Franklin County and/or Brown Township may in the future wish to participate financially in the implementation work, and that the parties may wish to amend this agreement to provide for same; and
WHEREAS, Prairie Township and the city of Columbus both have a direct interest in the successful development and creation of the Town Center; and
WHEREAS, Prairie Township and the city of Columbus desire to have Prairie Township enter into an agreement with the consultant or consultants selected by mutual agreement of the parties; and
WHEREAS, the costs for hiring the consultant(s) for this initiative are estimated to be approximately $100,000.00; the City of Columbus portion shall not exceed $50,000.00 (50%); and
WHEREAS, the willingness of Prairie Township and the City of Columbus to both participate in this initiative and provide a proportionate share of funding assistance is based upon the understanding and condition that all parties adhere to each and every element and principle contained in this Agreement, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Participation Agreement with Prairie Township for professional services in connection with the implementation of the Darby Town Center in order to avoid further delays in the implementation process, thereby preserving 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 the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into the Participation Agreement with Prairie Township for professional services in connection with the implementation of the Darby Town Center.
Section 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund, Fund 010, Department of Development, Planning Division, Division No. 44-06, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA Code 440334.
Section 3. 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.