Explanation
Background: On September 11, 2006, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) accepted Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Round 21 applications for the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) and State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). By ordinance 1117-2006, passed by City Council on July 26, 2006, an application was submitted and SCIP funding was awarded to the City for grant/loan assistance for the Morse Road (Phase 2), the High Street (Flint to County Line), and the Henderson Road projects. OPWC is required to award a minimum of 20% of SCIP funding as a no interest 20 year loan. OPWC requires that a designated official be authorized to execute project agreements for approved projects. Additionally, OPWC requires that a Chief Finance Officer certifies the ability to fund the City's portion of the project.
At the time of the application, it was unknown if the LTIP (grant only) or SCIP (loan and grant combination) would be awarded. Because the loan oriented SCIP funds were awarded, this legislation is necessary to allow the Finance and Management Director to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment, and it will reaffirm the Public Service Director's authority to execute the project agreement and apply for loans as needed for the projects. Additionally, the ordinance will allow the City Auditor to certify the City's portion of funding for the projects.
Fiscal Impact: On December 15, 2006, the District 3 Public Works Integrating Committee (PWIC) took final action to award $20.9 million to ten Round 21 project applicants, and three City of Columbus projects were awarded funding. The Morse Road Phase 2 project received funding in the form of a grant for $3,492,361 and a 20 year, no interest loan for $1,175,000 for a sum total of $4,667,361. The High Street, Flint to County Line project received funding in the form of a grant for $749,000 and a 20 year, no interest loan for $251,000 for a sum total of $1,000,000. The Henderson Road project received funding in the form of a grant for $181,000. After money from the grant portion of the awards is expended on the projects, the loan portion may then be utilized as needed. Therefore, the net impact of this legislation will allow for two loans for a sum total of $1,426,000 to provide necessary leverage for the grant dollars under the SCIP program.
Emergency action is requested to meet the August 14, 2007 deadline to sign the project agreements.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to certify loan repayments by signing the promissory notes to OPWC on behalf of the City of Columbus for $1,175,000 for the Morse Road Phase 2 project and $251,000 for the High Street, Flint Road to County Line project; to authorize the Public Service Director to execute the OPWC project agreements and to borrow $1,175,000 from OPWC for the purpose of Morse Road Phase 2 construction, and to borrow $251,000 from OPWC for the purpose of High Street, Flint Road to County Line construction; to repeal ordinance 1117-2006; and to declare an emergency. (-$0-)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Public Works Commission requires that the City of Columbus designate and authorize officials to execute project agreements for Local Transportation Improvement and State Capital Improvement Programs; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Division has been awarded a grant for $3,492,361 and a 20 year, no interest loan for $1,175,000 for a sum total of $4,667,361 for the Morse Road Phase 2 project, a grant for $749,000 and a 20 year, no interest loan for $251,000 for a sum total of $1,000,000 for the High Street, Flint Road to County Line project, and a grant for $181,000 to fund the Henderson Road project from Ohio Public Works Commission funds; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Transportation Division, Public Service Department, in that it is immediately necessary that the Finance and Management Director and City Auditor be authorized to sign financial documents and to reaffirm the Public Service Director's authority to execute project agreements in order to meet the August 14, 2007, project agreement submittal deadline, 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 is hereby authorized to submit applications, loan documents, and execute project agreements with the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Transportation Division for the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program projects as follows:
Henderson Road (SR 315 - High Street). This project consists of rebuilding the roadway to incorporate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, sidewalk, curb, driveway approaches, storm sewer and signals. The total project cost is $3,300,000;
High Street (Flint Road - County Line). This project consists of road widening and improvements. The total project cost estimate is $5,200,000;
Morse Road Phase 2 (Karl Road - Cleveland Avenue). This project consists of medians, sidewalks, signals upgraded to mast arms, bike lanes and landscaping improvements. The total project cost is $8,600,980;
SECTION 2. That project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Public Service Director based upon the feasibility of the applications being approved through the scoring process.
SECTION 3. That the Finance and Management Director and City Auditor are authorized to sign documents and a promissory note for $1,175,000 to certify funding for the City's SCIP loan portion of the Morse Road Phase 2 project and to sign loan documents and a promissory note for $251,000 to certify funding for the City's SCIP loan portion of the High Street Flint to County Line project.
SECTION 4. That ordinance 1117-2006, passed July 26, 2007, is hereby repealed.
SECTION 5. 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.