Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to reimbursement Columbus Southern Power Company dba American Electric Power (AEP), AT&T, Columbia Gas and possibly other utilties for additional utility relocation work needed for the Economic & Community Development - Schottenstein Program project (a.k.a Parsons/Schottenstein Revitalization, Southern Gateway Utility Relocation project).
Ordinance 0759-2013 authorized $225,000.00 for utility relocation work for this project. This ordinance would make an additional $200,000.00 available. Total amount available for utility relocation for this project is $425,000.00.
Properties near the site of the former Schottenstein's department store have been purchased by the City of Columbus over the past 6 years since the Parsons Avenue Vision Plan called for redevelopment of key properties along Parsons Avenue. Demolition of existing structures was completed in 2010. Currently, redevelopment plans are being formulated for the entire site bounded by Innis Avenue on the north, Barthman Street on the south, Washington Avenue on the west and Parsons Avenue on the east. The first structure to be built located in the southeast quadrant of the site is the Maloney Health Center, one of a network of Neighborhood Health Centers owned by the City of Columbus.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Columbus Southern Power Company dba American Electric Power (AEP) contract compliance number is 314271000. The expiration date for their contract compliance is 7/11/14.
AT&T contract compliance number is 340436390. The expiration date for their contract compliance is 2/25/16.
Columbia Gas' contract compliance number is 310673990. The expiration date for their contract compliance is 3/21/15.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $200,000.00 are budgeted for this project in the Streets and Highways Bond Fund within the Department of Development. This ordinance is contingent on the deposit of bond sale proceeds that will occur on June 24, 2014.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide necessary utility relocation and prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service's Capital Improvement Program.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to reimburse AEP, AT&T, Columbia Gas, and other utilities for utility relocation costs incurred in conjunction with the Economic & Community Development - Schottenstein Program project (a.k.a Parsons/Schottenstein Revitalization, Southern Gateway Utility Relocation project); to authorize the expenditure of up to $200,000.00 within the Street and Highways Bond fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City is overseeing the redevelopment of properties amassed on and around the former site of Schottenstein's Department Store on Parsons Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the first structure to be built is located in the southeast quadrant of the site and will be the Maloney Health Center; and
WHEREAS, overhead and underground utilities are in conflict with this development; and
WHEREAS, AEP, AT&T and Columbia Gas have agreed to relocate their facilities to accommodate this and future development; and
WHEREAS, the Development Department has agreed to pay for the utility relocations to accommodate current development and to spur future development on the site; and
WHERAS, Ordinance 0759-2013 authorized $225,000.00 for utility relocation for this project and this ordinance adds an additional $200,000.00, for a total of $425,000.00; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that these funds need to be immediately available for necessary utility relocation and prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service's Capital Improvement Program, 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 Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to reimburse Columbus Southern Power Company dba American Electric Power (AEP), AT&T, Columbia Gas and other utilities for additional utility relocation work needed for the Economic & Community Development - Schottenstein Program project (a.k.a Parsons/Schottenstein Revitalization, Southern Gateway Utility Relocation project)in an amount of up to $200,000.00.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose of paying the cost of this contract the sum of up to $200,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
704 / 590415-100003 / Economic & Community Development - Schottenstein Program / 06-6682 / 735415 / $200,000.00
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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.