Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes payment for utility relocation work by American Electric Power, Suburban Natural Gas, Deleware Properties LLC, or companies hired by utilities to perform utility relocation work, for the Roadway - Polaris Pkwy - Gemini Place to South Old St Rd project in an amount up to $130,950.59.
The Public Service Department is engaged in the Roadway - Polaris Pkwy - Gemini Place to South Old St Rd project. This contract includes the widening of northbound Polaris Parkway to three lanes from Gemini Place to approximately 1000’ south of South Old State Road and widening of southbound Polaris Parkway to three lanes from Antares Avenue to approximately 67‘ west of Antares Avenue. The project will also widen eastbound Antares Avenue to four lanes to include a 210’ right turn lane at the intersection of Polaris Parkway. Work includes full depth pavement widening, resurfacing in widening areas, curb and gutter, sidewalk, drive reconstructions, new storm sewer, ditches, and culverts, updated lighting, and a new signal at the intersection of Polaris Parkway and Antares Avenue.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements, it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements or place overhead utilities underground to promote public health, safety and welfare including the economic development of the City. It is necessary to move utilities to complete this project.
The funding request for this utilities relocation reimbursement is based upon actual costs incurred in relocating the utilities.
N.P. Capital Management Corp. deposited $3,904,562.36 with the City Treasurer to support the performance of these services. Ordinances 2622-2020 and 1909-2023 authorized the execution of a Construction Reimbursement Agreement for this project.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this expense is available within Fund 7766, the Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund. Funds will need to be appropriated
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested to provide funding for utility reimbursements at the earliest possible time to maintain the project construction schedule to ensure the safety of the traveling public.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to pay utility relocation costs to various utilities for the Roadway - Polaris Pkwy - Gemini Place to South Old St Rd project; to appropriate funds within the Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund; to authorize the expenditure of up to $130,950.59 for utility relocations for this project from the Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($130,950.59)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is concerned with the use of the various rights-of-way areas in the City as such rights-of-way areas represent a valuable and limited resource that must be utilized to promote the public health, safety and welfare including the economic development of the City; and
WHEREAS, utility relocations must be completed before construction can continue; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for utility relocation expenses for the Roadway - Polaris Pkwy - Gemini Place to South Old St Rd project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds in Fund 7766, the Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $130,950.59 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize funds within Fund 7766, the Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund, to establish sufficient cash to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize payment for utility relocation expenses to prevent construction delays, to maintain the construction schedule, and to ensure the safety of the traveling public, for the immediate preservation of 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 hereby is authorized to reimburse utilities for utility relocation work, or to reimburse companies hired by utilities to perform utility relocation work for the Roadway - Polaris Pkwy - Gemini Place to South Old St Rd project.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2026, the sum of $87,323.56 is appropriated in Fund 7766 (Streets and Highways Non-Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P531061-100000 (Roadway - Polaris Parkway - Gemini Place to South Old State Road), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $130,950.59, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7766 (Street and Highway Non-Bond Fund), in Dept-Div 5912 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P531061-100000 (Roadway - Polaris Pkwy - Gemini Place to South Old St Rd), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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.