Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Development to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Regional Airport Authority for public infrastructure improvements supporting economic development in the Rickenbacker area.
The City of Columbus and the Rickenbacker Port Authority (RPA) entered into an annexation agreement on September 9, 1996 to establish for each party obligations related to the annexations of RPA property to the City. This agreement was extended by an amendment executed on December 27, 2007 between the City and the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) as the successor to the RPA. The agreement was modified a second time by Ordinance 1839-2007, a third time by Ordinance 1008-2017 and a fourth time by Ordinance 3212-2018.
The fourth amendment expired on July 31, 2019. The City of Columbus and CRAA determined that it was necessary to create a new agreement to incorporate updated provisions, processes, and maps as it related to the development of the property owned by the CRAA. During this process the City made a commitment to the CRAA to invest $15 million in public infrastructure improvements supporting economic development in the Rickenbacker area. The City and CRAA entered into a Grant Agreement on January 2, 2024, approved by Ordinance 1882-2023, in the amount of $3,275,000.00 towards fulfillment of this commitment. This agreement will be in the amount of $2,000,000.00 towards that same purpose and commitment.
Approval is requested for reimbursement of design and construction expenses incurred prior to the execution of the purchase order, starting January 31, 2024.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: The vendor’s contract compliance number is 05092 and expires 9/21/2026.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within Fund 7735 Northland and Other Acquisitions Bond Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with The Columbus Regional Airport Authority; to authorize the expenditure of $2,000,000.00 from the Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund; and to allow for expenditures prior to the Purchase Order. ($2,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus and RPA entered into an annexation agreement on September 9, 1996 to establish for each party obligations related to the annexations of RPA property to the City; and
WHEREAS, the agreement was extended by an amendment executed on December 27, 2007 between the City and the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) as the successor to the RPA; and
WHEREAS, the agreement was modified a second time by Ordinance 1839-2007, a third time by Ordinance 1008-2017 and a fourth time by Ordinance 3212-2018; and
WHEREAS, the fourth amendment expired on July 31, 2019 and the City of Columbus and CRAA determined that it was necessary to create a new agreement to incorporate updated provisions, processes, and maps as it related to the development of the property owned by the CRAA; and
WHEREAS, during this process the City made a commitment to the CRAA to invest $15 million in public infrastructure improvements supporting economic development in the Rickenbacker area; and
WHEREAS, the City and CRAA entered into a Grant Agreement on January 2, 2024, approved by Ordinance 1882-2023, in the amount of $3,275,000.00 in partial fulfillment of the aforementioned commitment; and
WHEREAS, this agreement shall be in the amount of $2,000,000.00 to pay for ongoing public infrastructure improvements in the Rickenbacker area; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure from the Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund in connection with this agreement; and
WHEREAS, it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement with the Columbus Regional Airport Authority in order to commence construction of the sewer and lighting projects needed for the next phase of development; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a Grant Agreement, in an amount up to $2,000,000.00 with The Columbus Regional Airport Authority for public infrastructure supporting economic development in the Rickenbacker area and to reimburse expenses incurred prior to the purchase order.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $2,000,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in fund 7735 (Northland and Other Acquisitions), Project 590426-100000, Dept. 44-02 (Economic Development), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 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 this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.