Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes payment for utility relocation work by American Electric Power, AT&T, Spectrum (aka Time Warner), Windstream, TC Energy, and other utilities (or companies hired by utilities to perform utility relocation work) for the Arterial Street Rehabilitation - E. Broad Street project in an amount up to $1,311,700.25.
The Public Service Department is engaged in the Arterial Street Rehabilitation - E. Broad Street project. This project consists of the widening of approximately 1.0 miles of E. Broad Street from east of I-270 to west of Brice Road. Improvements include a shared-use path along E. Broad Street, Taylor Station Road, and McNaughten Road. (CPA 18). Project improvements include improvements of Taylor Station Road from E. Broad Street to the entrance of Mount Carmel Medical Park include the widening. Improvements of McNaughten Road from E. Broad Street to Ganse Lane. The project also consists of additions and improvements to sidewalks, lighting, stormwater drainage systems, signal and interconnect systems, and retaining walls.
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 utilities relocation reimbursement is based upon estimates from the utilities. The utilities will invoice the City for actual costs incurred in relocating the utilities. The amount needed may exceed the amount requested in this ordinance. Additional legislation will be submitted by the Department of Public Service if additional funds are needed to complete the relocations.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this expense is available within Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund. An amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget is required to establish sufficient budget authority for the project.
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 travelling public.
Title
To amend the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to pay utility relocation costs to various utilities for the Arterial Street Rehabilitation - E. Broad Street project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $1,311,700.25 for utility relocations for this project from the Streets & Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,311,700.25)
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 Arterial Street Rehabilitation - E. Broad Street project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $1,311,700.25 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize expenditure of funds within Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways 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 ensure the safety of the travelling public, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2024 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1907-2024 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
7704 / P530103-100065 / Arterial Street Rehabilitation - SR161 - I-71 to Cleveland Avenue Phase I (Voted Carryover) /$0.00 / $124,692.00 / $124,692.00 (to match cash)
7704 / P530103-100065 / Arterial Street Rehabilitation - SR161 - I-71 to Cleveland Avenue Phase I (Voted Carryover) / $124,692.00 / ($124,692.00) / $0.00
7704 / P530103-100075 / ASR - SR161 I-71 to Cleveland Avenue Phase I - Part 2 (Parkville/Spring Run) (Voted Carryover) / $1,137,917.00 / ($1,137,917.00) / $0.00
7704 / P530103-100038 / Arterial Street Rehabilitation - Hard Road Phase A/Sawmill Road - Smoky Row Road (Voted Carryover) / $1,024,904.00 / ($49,092.00) / $975,812.00
7704 / P530103-100061 / Arterial Street Rehabilitation - E. Broad Street Widening (Voted Carryover) / $1,600,000.00 / $1,311,701.00 / $2,911,701.00
7704 / P530161-100227 / Roadway - Utility Relocation Costs (Voted 2022 ITSA Supported) / $1,000,000.00 / ($1,000,000.00) / $0.00
7704 / P530103-100075 / ASR - SR161 I-71 to Cleveland Avenue Phase I - Part 2 (Parkville/Spring Run) (Voted 2022 ITSA Supported) / $0.00 / $1,000,000.00 / $1,000,000.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department 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 Arterial Street Rehabilitation - E. Broad Street project.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $1,311,700.25, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), in Dept-Div 5912 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P530103-100061 (Arterial Street Rehabilitation - E. Broad Street Widening), 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.