Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is accepting Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Round 30 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 the city to designate an authorized official 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 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:
Third Avenue Bridge and Roadway - The City of Columbus is continuing its initiative to improve the public infrastructure on West 3rd Avenue between Olentangy River Road and Edgehill Road. The next phase includes West 3rd Avenue, approximately 375 feet west of the CSX railroad bridge and 400 feet east of the bridge. This project will widen and reconstruct the roadway, build a new two-span railroad bridge, build curbs, ADA compliant curb ramps, sidewalks, shared-use path, upgrade lighting, traffic signals and signs, and plant trees and landscaping.
Joyce Avenue Phase 3 - The Project will improve Joyce Avenue from just north of 17th Avenue to Kenmore Road. The finished project will provide safer pedestrian and traffic accommodations, improve roadway appearance, add drainage facilities and encourage redevelopment in the corridor. The project elements include curbs and gutters, sidewalks with ADA compliant curb ramps, a shared-use path, improved signals and signs, storm sewers, street lighting, resurfacing, and widening Joyce Avenue from two lanes to three in some sections.
Alum Creek Drive (Frebis to Refugee) - The City of Columbus and the Ohio Department of Transportation are collaborating to improve Alum Creek Drive between Integrity Drive North and Performance Way/Refugee Road. The planned improvements will reduce traffic congestion and improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and mobility-impaired and vision-impaired users. Project elements include widening Alum Creek Drive from two lanes to five, ADA compliant curb ramps, upgrading storm sewers and private utilities, street lighting, signals, and signs.
Hamilton Road S Curve - This project consists of roadway improvements to realign Hamilton Road with the north leg of the current Hamilton Road/Dublin-Granville Road intersection from approximately 500' north of Preserve Boulevard/Menerey Lane. Hamilton Road between approximately 500' north of Menerey Lane/Preserve Boulevard and Dublin-Granville Road will be constructed to accommodate two through lanes in each direction with a center median, sidewalk, shared use path, curb, street trees, new street lighting, new storm sewer, waterline, and new intersections where roadways or access points are planned. The project will relocate Old Hamilton Road to intersect with the southern curve in the S-curve. For the relocated section of Old Hamilton, new sidewalks, future shared use path, street lighting, and stormwater improvements will be constructed.
Livingston Avenue (west of High Street) - Phase A of the roadway improvements will take place on Livingston Avenue between Front Street to just east of High Street. The project is part of ODOT’s I-70/I-71 project Phase 4A. Project elements include reconstruction, widening, two-conversion, bike lanes, curb extensions, sidewalks, streetscape improvements, storm sewer, street lighting, waterline, and utility undergrounding.
(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 $26,500,000.00, and it is awarded in the form of grants and loans. As a part of the application for grant funds, the city may 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 are approved in the form of design contracts and/or construction contracts that will be or have been submitted for Council's approval.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications for Round 30 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; to authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability; 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 30 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 it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to submit these applications on the schedule required by MORPC, 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.
SECTION 2. 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.
SECTION 3. That 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 30 OPWC funding for the City's SCIP loan portion of any project that is awarded a no interest loan.
SECTION 4. 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.