Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will be accepting applications for MORPC Attributable Funding through September 27, 2024. This is an opportunity for the City to secure outside funding for various roadway improvement projects. MORPC has approximately $125.9 million to distribute to all applicants for new projects from 2026 through 2031.
MORPC Attributable Funds are composed three federally funded programs: The Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG); the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program (CMAQ). MORPC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects.
In addition to funding applications for projects not previously submitted, MORPC requests the City "reauthorize" projects submitted prior to 2024 to reaffirm the City's continuing commitment to those projects.
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to submit applications and to execute project agreements for approved projects. Specific projects for which applications will likely be submitted are listed within the body of this ordinance.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
The MORPC Attributable Funding can fund up to eighty percent (80%) of total right-of-way and construction expenses. Preliminary engineering and design expenses are not eligible for funding, except in certain situation. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be appropriated and expended within design and/or construction contracts that will be submitted in advance to City Council for approval.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit MORPC Attributable Funds roadway improvement project applications to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for consideration for funding within the Transportation Improvement Program; and to authorize the Director of Public Service to execute project agreements for approved projects for the Department of Public Service. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will be accepting MORPC Attributable Funding applications through September 27, 2024; and
WHEREAS, this is an opportunity for the City to secure outside funding for various roadway improvement projects; and
WHEREAS, MORPC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects; and
WHEREAS, MORPC requests that the City "reauthorize" projects submitted prior to 2020 to reaffirm the City's continuing commitment;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to submit roadway improvement project applications to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for consideration for funding within the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and/or its component sub-programs, the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG); the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program (CMAQ) and that City Council hereby endorses applications for the following projects:
Projects currently on the TIP that require an update application:
• I-70/I-71 Innerbelt - Phases 2D & 3, Major widening (adding through lanes), Interchange Modification. Anticipated construction in SFYs 2025‐2027. Total project cost estimate is approximately $197,300,000. The project will be funded primarily by ODOT. The current attributable funding commitment is approximately $1,580,248.
• 17th Avenue, from IR‐71 to Billiter Boulevard. Anticipated construction in SFY 2028. Total project cost estimate is approximately $10,249,407, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $6,701,955.
• E Broad St from Outerbelt St to Reynoldsburg New Albany Rd, Major widening. Anticipated construction in SFY 2027. Total project cost estimate is approximately $27,943,586, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $9,690,225.
• Cassady Avenue SUP. Anticipated construction in SFY 2028. Total project cost estimate is approximately $9,580,563, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $3,057,201.
• Concrete Bus Pad Upgrades, Reconstruction. Anticipated construction in SFY 2025. Total project cost estimate is approximately $1,468,779, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $1,068,399.
• Downtown Signals, Rich Street Signal Replacements. Anticipated construction in SFY 2025. Total project cost estimate is approximately $3,332,495, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $2,125,422.
• Dublin‐Granville Road (SR‐161) SUP. Anticipated construction in SFY 2028. Total project cost estimate is approximately $7,979,503, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $2,266,149.
• Dublin‐Granville Road (SR‐161), from Ambleside Drive to Maple Canyon Avenue. Anticipated construction in SFY 2026. Total project cost estimate is approximately $23,051,583, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $13,403,607.
• SR‐161 at Busch BLVD & Ambleside DR. Anticipated construction in SFY 2029. Total project cost estimate is approximately $23,635,178, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $11,355,539.
• Hilliard Rome Road at Renner Road. Anticipated construction in SFY 2029. Total project cost estimate is approximately $12,131,006, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $3,747,438.
• McNaughten Road SUP. Anticipated construction in SFY 2028. Total project cost estimate is approximately $12,651,089, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $7,834,505.
• Sancus Boulevard, from Worthington Woods Boulevard to Lazelle Road. Anticipated construction in SFY 2027. Total project cost estimate is approximately $19,283,830, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $10,034,556.
• Sullivant Avenue SUP. Anticipated construction in SFY 2028. Total project cost estimate is approximately $6,679,767, and the current attributable funding commitment is approximately $4,133,352.
Projects that require a complete application:
• Trabue Road at Walcutt Road. Anticipated construction in SFY 2030. Total project cost estimate is approximately $16,573,675. The total attributable funding request is approximately $12,058,940.
• Gender Road Phase 1. Anticipated construction in SFY 2030. Total project cost estimate is approximately $24,513,177. The total attributable funding request is approximately $16,810,541.
• East Broad Capital Trail. Anticipated construction in SFY 2030. Total project cost estimate is approximately $36,790,579. The total attributable funding request is approximately $8,892,644.
• Parsons Avenue Bridge Replacement. Anticipated construction in SFY 2030. Total project cost estimate is approximately $18,935,836. The total attributable funding request is approximately $13,468,669.
SECTION 2. That project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service based upon the feasibility of the applications being approved through the scoring process.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to execute project agreements for approved projects.
SECTION 4. That in regard to any/all projects for which funding is approved within the context of this application process, the City will assume and bear one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of construction within its corporate limits minus the portion eligible for federal and state participation and provide maintenance to the improvements in accordance with the provisions of the statutes relating thereto and will make ample financial and other provisions for such maintenance.
SECTION 5. That, at the end of the grant period, or upon request of the grantor, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period by law.