Explanation
Background: The Public Service Department, Transportation Division, is preparing to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Sullivant Avenue and Wedgewood Drive. To accommodate this signal installation the City must acquire additional right-of-way in the form of a permanent easement and a temporary construction easement on the north side of this intersection. The Transportation Division has requested the assistance of the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, in obtaining the necessary right-of-way. The Real Estate Division has estimated that acquisition-related expenses should cost approximately $6,000.00. This legislation authorizes the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to hire professional services relative to the acquisition of the necessary right-of-way, to negotiate with the property owner and to expend the funds necessary to acquire this permanent and temporary right-of-way.
Fiscal Impact: Monies to pay for these costs are not specifically budgeted but are available within the Transportation Division's 2004 Capital Improvement Budget in the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund in the Signal Installation project. The Transportation Division budgeted $1.35 million for Traffic Signal Installation projects in the 2004 Capital Improvements Budget. The Division has legislated all but $554,735 of this funding through November 2004.
Emergency action is requested to allow the Real Estate Division to acquire the necessary right-of-way and allow the Transportation Division to proceed with the installation of the proposed signal at the intersection of Sullivant Avenue and Wedgewood Drive without delay to mitigate the dangers inherent at this unsignalized intersection.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to contract for professional services relative to the acquisition of permanent and temporary easements necessary for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Sullivant Avenue and Wedgewood Drive and negotiate with the property owner for the necessary right-of-way; to expend $6,000.00 from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund for acquisition-related costs for the Transportation Division, and to declare an emergency. ($6,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, is preparing to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Sullivant Avenue and Wedgewood Drive; and
WHEREAS, to accommodate this signal installation the City must acquire additional right-of-way in the form of a permanent easement and a temporary construction easement on the north side of this intersection; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Division has requested the assistance of the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, in obtaining the necessary right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, the Real Estate Division has estimated that acquisition-related expenses will be approximately $6,000.00; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to hire professional services relative to the acquisition of permanent and temporary easements necessary for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Sullivant Avenue and Wedgewood Drive, to negotiate with the property owner and to expend the funds necessary to obtain these easements so that the proposed signal can be installed as soon as possible to mitigate the dangers inherent at this unsignalized intersection, 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 City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division be and hereby is authorized to hire professional services relative to the acquisition of permanent and temporary easements necessary for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Sullivant Avenue and Wedgewood Drive; to negotiate with the property owner to obtain the necessary right-of-way and to expend those funds necessary to pay these expenses.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose of paying for said costs the City Attorney's Office be and hereby is authorized to expend $6,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary from Fund 704, the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6601, OCA Code 644385 and Project 540007.
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.