Explanation
The Public Service Department, Transportation Division, initially entered into an agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) on March 4, 2004, to undertake a downtown traffic study. This study examines the downtown street network, analyzes existing and predicted traffic movements, and projects traffic impacts on alternative future road networks and configurations associated with the I-70/I71 reconstruction project. It is critically important that the City work with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to secure a coordinated downtown street and freeway network, develop an implementation plan of recommended improvements, enhance downtown livability, and provide for non-motorized modes of travel. As well, the potential reconfiguration of the existing shared I-70/I-71 corridor through downtown is included in the study as is COTA's proposal for light rail transit.
The time frame contained within this recent legislation is not reasonable enough to accomodate a more prolonged, but necessary, public and decision maker involvement process. Also, due to the critical impact the study recommendation will have on the downtown, extra time is needed to fully understand the competing issues and to conduct the necessary complex techinical analysis while a final freeway alternative is selected and plans are prepared by ODOT.
FISCAL IMPACT: This legislation authorizes the Public Service Director to extend this agreement as appropriate through December 31, 2007. No additional funding is required at this time.
Emergency action is requested to provide for the agreement being extended as soon as possible to memorialize present working arrangements and to set project completion targets.
Title
To amend Ordinance 0408-2005 which authorized a contract modification with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Comission for continued undertaking of the downtown traffic study by extending the completion date of the contract from June 30, 2005 to December 31, 2007, and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department, Transportation Division has entered into an agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) to conduct a downtown traffic study; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance #0408-2005 passed by City Council on March 28, 2005, authorized the Public Service Director to execute a contract agreement necessary for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to extend this agreement through December 31, 2007, with no increase in funding being required; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Transportation Division, Public Service Department, in that it is immediately necessary to amend this legislation to more appropriately specify a timeframe over which this work will cover, 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 Ordinance 0408-2005, passed March 28, 2005, is hereby amended by changing Section 4 to read as follows:
That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to modify (extend through December 31, 2007 and increase by $250,000.00) an existing agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, 285 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 for $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed to secure a coordinated downtown street and freeway network, develop an implementation plan of recommended improvements, enhance downtown livability and provide for non-motorized modes of travel.
SECTION 2. 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 form and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.