Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is accepting Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Round 24 applications for the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) and State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). MORPC serves in a staff support capacity to the District Three (Franklin County) Public Works Integrating Committee (PWIC).
OPWC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects. Additionally, OPWC is required to award a minimum of 20% of the SCIP funding as a no interest 20-year loan; in order to make City applications more favorable, some of the applications may include a request for a no interest loan. Therefore, the applications and ensuing agreements may also require a signature from the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications and to execute project agreements for approved projects. The legislation will also authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment.
2. EXPECTED PROJECTS
The Department of Public Service plans to submit applications for the following projects:
Hilliard Rome Road (I-70 to Roberts Road). The purpose of this project is to reduce congestion and increase safety. It also provides for pedestrian and bicycle mobility. Existing conditions include a former rural roadway with pavement extended and restriped in an effort to extend capacity as much as possible. The finished roadway will have new pavement, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, storm sewers, street lighting, and bike lanes. The total project cost is approximately: $18,024,888; the City's application amount will be approximately $3,499,000 in Grant.
N. High Street (Flint Road to County Line). This project consists of widening High Street from 5 lanes to 7, adds right turn lanes at Northwoods Blvd, Dillmont Drive, and Lazelle Road East. Pavement, sidewalk, curb, drive approaches, storm sewer, curb ramps, traffic signals, medians, and other improvements. The total project cost is approximately: $7,555,941; the City's application amount will be approximately $749,000 in Grant and $250,999 in Loan.
Emerald Parkway (Tuttle Crossing Boulevard to Rings Road). This project consists of widening Emerald Parkway to 2 lanes each direction, constructs signals at Lakehurst court and Glendon Court and includes curb and gutter, drainage improvements, street lighting, sidewalk on the east side, shared use path on the west side and ADA curb ramps. The total project cost is approximately: $7,755,155; the City's application amount will be approximately $4,373,647 in Grant and $1,465,668 in Loan.
Thomas Lane (Lieb Street to Olentangy River Road). This project consists of the full depth replacement and widening of 900 feet of Thomas Lane. The existing two-lane rural cross-section will be transformed to a three-lane, urban section with the addition of curb and gutter and sidewalk. Auxiliary turn lanes will be added to the eastbound approach of Thomas Lane at its intersection with Olentangy River Road. A mid-block pedestrian crossing will be revitalized to include a refuge island and upgraded signage. The total project cost is approximately: $2,919,719; the City's application amount will be approximately $1,878,223 in Grant.
(This listing is meant to be illustrative and is believed to be accurate and complete; however, last minute project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service.)
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will provide an opportunity to secure funds for various projects. The approximate available funding to the District Three Public Works Integrating Committee is $27,607,000.00, and it is to be awarded in the form of grants and loans. As a part of the application for grant funds, the City will apply for a maximum of $3,000,000 in loans as necessary to make the applications more favorable to OPWC and the City.
Based on population, the City of Columbus' share can be 40%, more or less, of the total amount available. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts and/or construction contracts that will be or have been submitted for Council's approval.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to meet the project submittal timelines.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications for Round 24 of the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program and to execute project agreement forms for approved projects for the Department of Public Service on behalf of the City of Columbus, and to authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Public Works Commission requires that the City of Columbus designate and authorize officials to submit Round 24 applications, execute project agreements, sign for funding use certification and local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment for Local Transportation Improvement and State Capital Improvement Programs; and
WHEREAS, application amounts are approximate depending upon OPWC scoring criteria; and
WHEREAS, approved applications will require execution within 45 days of notification by the Ohio Public Works Commission; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that passage of this legislation is necessary to seek funds and submit these applications, 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 Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to submit applications and execute project agreements with the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service for the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program projects, and that the Director of Public Service and Director of Finance and Management be and are hereby authorized to submit loan documents and borrow money from the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service for projects as awarded under the State Capital Improvement Program; and now therefore the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, are authorized to sign any consequential promissory notes for a grand total of no more than $3,000,000 to certify Round 24 OPWC funding for the City's SCIP loan portion of any project that is awarded a 20-year no interest loan.
SECTION 2. That for the reason 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.