Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The City’s Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”) is engaged in acquiring real estate for the Sanitary Sewer Lining 2021 to 2023 Project, C.I.P. No. 650403-100001 (“Public Project”). The City must acquire in good faith and accept certain fee simple and lesser real estate located in the vicinity of 399 West State Street between Lucas Street and Starling Street and between West State Street and West Town Street (collectively, “Real Estate”) for DPU to complete the Public Project. Accordingly, DPU requested the City Attorney to acquire the Real Estate in good faith and contract for associated professional services (e.g. surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.) in order for DPU to timely complete the Public Project.
2. CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Not applicable.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $10,000.00 is available and appropriated in the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is needed to align budget authority with the proper project. A transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested to allow the sewer lining project to begin as soon as possible to prevent storm water from entering the sanitary sewer system through cracks in the sanitary system sewers in the project area, complying with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to spend City funds to acquire and accept in good faith certain fee simple and lesser real estate located in the vicinity of 399 West State Street between Lucas Street and Starling Street and between West State Street and West Town Street, and contract for associated professional services in order for the Department of Public Utilities to timely complete the acquisition of Real Estate for the Sanitary Sewer Lining 2021 to 2023 project; to authorize an amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund; to authorize the expenditure of up to $10,000.00 from the Sanitary Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City intends to perform rehabilitation of approximately 6,120 linear feet of 8-thru 36-inch sewers utilizing the Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) process and manhole rehabilitation by allowing the Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”) to engage in the acquisition of Real Estate for the Sanitary Sewer Lining 2021 to 2023 project (“Public Project”); and
WHEREAS, the City intends for the City Attorney to acquire in good faith and accept the necessary fee simple and lesser real estate located in the vicinity of 399 West State Street between Lucas Street and Starling Street and between West State Street and West Town Street (“Real Estate”) in order for DPU to complete the Public Project; and
WHEREAS, the City intends for the City Attorney to spend City funds to acquire the Real Estate in good faith and contract for associated professional services (e.g. surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.); and
WHEREAS, City Council approved the expenditure of up to $65,000.00 to acquire the Real Estate needed for this project via Ordinance 2506-2024, passed by City Council on 10/7/2024; and
WHEREAS, the $65,000.00 amount approved by City Council was an estimate of the amount needed to acquire the Real Estate; and
WHEREAS, an additional $10,000.00 in funding is needed to complete the Real Estate purchase; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget must be modified to align budget authority with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, a transfer of cash and appropriation between projects within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for this Council to authorize the expenditure of up to ten thousand and 00/100 U.S. Dollars ($10,000.00) from the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, to acquire this Real Estate; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of DPU in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this acquisition in order to sewer lining project to begin as soon as possible to prevent storm water from entering the sanitary sewer system through cracks in the sanitary system sewers in the project area, complying with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency requirements, thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, welfare, and safety; 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
6109 / 650870-110164 / Blueprint Tulane Findley Area Integrated Solutions (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $32,770.00 / $22,770.00 / ($10,000.00)
6109 / 650403-100001 / Sanitary Sewer Lining 2021-2023 (Voted Sanitary Carryover) / $0.00 / $10,000.00 / $10,000.00
SECTION 2. That the City Attorney is authorized to acquire in good faith and accept certain fee simple and lesser real estate located in the vicinity of 399 West State Street between Lucas Street and Starling Street and between West State Street and West Town Street (“Real Estate”) in order for the Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”) to timely complete the acquisition of the Real Estate for the Sanitary Sewer Lining 2021-2023 project (“Public Project”).
SECTION 3. That the City Attorney is authorized to contract for professional services (e.g. surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.) associated with the Real Estate’s acquisition for the Public Project.
SECTION 4. That the City Attorney, in order to exercise the authority described in Sections Two (2) and Three (3) of this ordinance, is authorized to spend up to ten thousand and 00/100 U.S. Dollars ($10,000.00), or as much as may be necessary, from the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, according to the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the transfer of 10,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the Sanitary Bond Fund, Fund 6109, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. That this ordinance, for the reasons stated in the preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance and fully incorporated for reference as if rewritten, is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after this ordinance’s adoption and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this ordinance.