Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Public Service Director to modify an existing agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) to provide additional planning services associated with the Downtown Columbus Circulation Study. The traffic study has recommended a street network to facilitate mobility, enhance pedestrian friendliness and contribute to the viability of the downtown community. These services will enhance bicycle travel in downtown and connections to outlying areas by creating a bikeway plan.
The original contract for $250,000.00 was authorized by Ordinance 2026-2003 passed by City Council September 22, 2003. This contract was extended through December 31, 2004 with no increase in funding by Ordinance 1492-2004 passed by Council September 13, 2004. The contract was increased by $250,000.00 and extended through June 30, 2005 by Ordinance 0408-2005 passed by City Council March 28, 2005. Finally, the contract was extended through December 31, 2007 with no increase in funding by Ordinance 0722-2005 passed by City Council April 18, 2005. The total contract authorization amount including this pending modification is $755,000.00.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission is a not-for-profit governmental entity; their contract compliance number is 31-1009675.
Fiscal Impact: Monies for this contract modification are budgeted and available within the Transportation Division's 2005 Capital Improvements Budget in the 1995, 1999, 2004 Voted Streets and Highways Fund in the Bikeway Development project.
Emergency action is requested to provide for timely responses to freeway changes that ODOT may recommend from the I-70/71 alternatives analysis and possible City Code modifications that will promote pedestrian/bicyclist friendliness.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to modify and increase an existing contract with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to provide additional planning services for the Downtown Columbus Circulation Study for the Transportation Division; to authorize the expenditure of $255,000.00 from the 1995, 1999, 2004 Voted Streets and Highways Fund and to declare an emergency. ($255,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Transportation Division and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) entered into an agreement on March 4, 2004 as authorized by Ordinance 2026-2003 to improve the downtown transportation system; and
WHEREAS, the City and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission agreed to extend the time needed to complete the study on October 13, 2004 as authorized by Ordinance 1492-2004; and
WHEREAS, the City and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission agreed to modify the Downtown Columbus Circulation Study and extend the time needed to complete the study to June 30, 2005 as authorized by Ordinance 0408-2005; and
WHEREAS, the City and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission agreed to extend the time needed to complete the study through December 31, 2007 as authorized by Ordinance 0722-2005; and
WHEREAS, the City and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission have jointly identified a need to secure additional planning services; and
WHEREAS, the performance of the study has proceeded with full participation by City staff in the development of recommended changes to the downtown street, bicycle and pedestrian network; and
WHEREAS, monies are available in the 1995, 1999, 2004 Voted Streets and Highways Fund for this contract modification expense, 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 the modification of this agreement with MORPC for downtown traffic study planning services to provide for timely responses to freeway changes that ODOT may recommend from the I-70/71 alternatives analysis and possible City Code modifications that will promote pedestrian/bicyclist friendliness, 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 Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to modify and increase an existing agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, 285 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 to secure a coordinated downtown street and bikeway network to enhance downtown livability by providing for a citywide bike plan by up to $255,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $255,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed be and hereby is authorized to be expended from Fund 704, the 1995, 1999, 2004 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6682, OCA Code 644385 and Project 540002 to pay for the cost of said services.
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.