Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes reimbursing the City Attorney’s Office for staff costs related to the acquisition of Real Estate needed for the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to complete the Fourth Water Plant Transmission Main Phase 1 Project, C.I.P. No. 690502-100001, in an amount up to $300,000.00.
The City’s Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”) is engaged in acquiring real estate for the Fourth Water Plant Transmission Main Phase 1 Project, C.I.P. No. 690502-100001 (“Public Project”). The Real Estate is required to connect the New Home Road Water Plant to the water distribution system as part of Phase One of the transmission main project. The Real Estate includes 46 parcels extending from the vicinity of Cook Road to the connection point at Blazer Tank. Across these parcels, the project will require approximately 30 acres of permanent easements and 23 acres of temporary easements The transmission mains will extend from the Home Road water plant located at 5992 Home Road, Delaware, OH 43015, to strategic connection points in the City’s existing water distribution system. One transmission main is to be constructed by 12/31/2028, with the completion of the second main by 12/31/2030.
Accordingly, DPU requested the City Attorney to acquire the Real Estate in good faith and contract for associated professional services (surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.) for DPU to timely complete the Public Project. The acquisition costs will be funded by a loan obtained from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA). This funding is requested via Ordinance 1470-2026, approved by City Council on 6/8/26. City staff costs are not allowable expenses to be charged against the loan, so a separate source of funding must be established to pay for City Attorney staff costs related to the land acquisition.
The majority of the transmission main will be located outside the City of Columbus. The portion within the City of Columbus will be located within the Hayden Run Planning Area (30) and the Far Northwest Planning Area (31).
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Not applicable.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this expense is available within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006. The 2025 Capital Improvement Budget will need to be amended to align budget authority with the proper project. Cash and appropriation will need to be transferred between projects within the Water Bond Fund to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested for this ordinance to establish an Auditor’s Certificate as soon as possible so City Attorney Office staff costs can be reimbursed in a timely manner to maintain accurate accounting records.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to reimburse staff costs related to the acquisition of Real Estate for the Fourth Water Plant Transmission Main Phase 1 Project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund; to authorize the expenditure of up to $300,000.00 from the Water Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City intends to construct water transmission mains in conjunction with the construction of the City’s future Fourth Water Plant on Home Road. The transmission mains will extend from the Home Road water plant located at 5992 Home Road, Delaware, OH 43015, to strategic connection points in the City’s existing water distribution system; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1470-2026, passed by City Council on 6/8/26, authorizes the City Attorney’s Office to acquire in good faith and accept the necessary fee simple and lesser real estate located in the vicinity of Cook Road to the connection point at Blazer Tank; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney’s Office will incur staff costs that need to be charged to the project; and
WHEREAS, an Auditor’s Certificate (ACDI) must be funded and established to enable these charges to occur; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to align budget authority for the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Water Bond Fund to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to establish an Auditor’s Certificate as soon as possible so City Attorney Office staff costs can be reimbursed in a timely manner to maintain accurate accounting records, 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 2025 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient budget authority for this project:
Fund / Project Number / Project Name (Funding Source) / Current Authority / Revised Authority / Change
6006 / 690515-100001 / Water Quality Assurance Lab Renovations - Trailer Purchase (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $257,593.00 / $257,593.00 (To match cash)
6006 / 690515-100001 / Water Quality Assurance Lab Renovations - Trailer Purchase (Voted Water Carryover) / $257,593.00 / $0.00 / ($257,593.00)
6006 / 690554-100000 / Laboratory Upgrades (Voted Water Carryover) / $491,029.00 / $448,622.00 / ($42,407.00)
6006 / 690502-100001 / Fourth Water Plant Transmission Main Phase 1 (Voted Water Carryover) / $0.00 / $300,000.00 / $300,000.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $300,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the Water Bond Fund, Fund 6006, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Attorney’s Office is authorized to charge staff costs related to the acquisition of Real Estate needed for the Department of Public Utilities to complete the Fourth Water Plant Transmission Main Phase 1 Project, C.I.P. No. 690502-100001, against the Auditor’s Certificate that will be established per this ordinance in an amount up to $300,000.00.
SECTION 4. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this Ordinance 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 made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this Ordinance.