Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, Division of Transportation, is engaged in the Livingston & Parsons Avenue Roadway Improvements project. The purpose of this project is to widen and improve Livingston Avenue from Ninth Street east to Ohio Avenue and to widen and improve Parsons Avenue from Jackson Street north to a point approximately 200 feet north of Kennedy Drive. This project includes full depth pavement replacement, installation of traffic medians and installation of upgraded tree lawns, street lighting, sidewalks and ADA compliant ramps. Bikeway facilities to be provided with the project include a signed, shared route on Livingston Avenue and Parsons Avenue. Successful completion of this project requires that the City acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to various properties along the project corridor as additional rights-of-way. It is now necessary to authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to contract for professional services, to negotiate with property owners and to expend those funds necessary to acquire the additional rights-of-way needed to complete this project.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Right-of-way acquisition costs for this project, including professional services, staff costs and land costs have been estimated to be $300,000.00. Monies to pay these costs available due to cancellations from the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
This project has been designated a "fast tract" project by the City therefore emergency action is requested to allow the City Attorney's Real Estate Division to begin acquisition of the rights-of-way needed for this project immediately so that utilities can be relocated and construction of the improvements can proceed as currently scheduled.
Title
To amend the 2008 C.I.B; to authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 from the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund for acquisition related expenses including professional services and land costs; to authorize the City Attorney's Real Estate Division to contract for professional services relative to the acquisition of fee simple title and lesser interests in and to property needed for the Livingston & Parsons Avenue Roadway Improvements project; to authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights-of-way necessary to complete this project; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, Division of Transportation, is engaged in the Livingston & Parsons Avenue Roadway Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this project is to widen and improve Livingston Avenue from Ninth Street east to Ohio Avenue and to widen and improve Parsons Avenue from Jackson Street north to a point approximately 200 feet north of Kennedy Drive; and
WHEREAS, the project includes full depth pavement replacement, the installation of traffic medians and installation of upgraded tree lawns, street lighting, sidewalks, ADA compliant ramps, and a signed shared bikeway route on Livingston Avenue and Parsons Avenue; and
WHEREAS, successful completion of this project requires that the City acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to various properties located along the project corridor as additional rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, right-of-way acquisition costs for this project, including professional services, staff costs and land costs have been estimated to be $300,000.00 by the City Attorney's office, Real Estate Division; and
WHEREAS, $300,000.00 is available in the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund to pay for these right-of-way acquisition costs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, Division of Transportation, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to contract for professional services, to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights-of-way needed to complete this project and to authorize the expenditure of the funds needed to pay for the right-of-way acquisition expenses associated with this project 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 2008 Capital Improvement Budget be amended due to encumbrance cancellations of completed projects as follows:
Project Number / Project / Current CIB Amount / Amendment Amount / CIB Amount
530161-100000 / Roadway Improvements (Carryover) / $5,808,769.00 (Carryover) / $631,522.00 (Carryover) / $6,440,291.00 (Carryover)
Section 2. That the City Attorney's Real Estate Division be and is hereby authorized to expend $300,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund as follows: Project 530161, Department/Division 59-09, Minor Object 6601, OCA Code 644385, to pay those costs relative to the acquisition of the additional rights-of-way required for this project.
Section 3. That the City Attorney's Real Estate Division be and is hereby authorized to hire professional services, including but not limited to title, appraisal and right-of-way negotiation services relative to the acquisition of fee simple title and lesser interests in and to real estate needed for the Livingston & Parsons Avenue Roadway Improvements project.
Section 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
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.