Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Department of Public Service is currently engaged in the Bridge Rehabilitation - Fifth Avenue over Scioto River project (a.k.a Bridge and Trail Improvements - West Fifth Avenue from McKinley Avenue to Dublin Road). The purpose of this project is to include widening the Fifth Avenue Bridge over the Scioto River and extending the Scioto Trail between Dublin Road and McKinley Avenue.
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into necessary agreements with and to accept and expend grant funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the purpose of providing funding for the various phases of this project. The ODOT project designation is FRA- Scioto Trail/Fifth Avenue Connector PID 90382.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
The Department of Public Service applied for and was awarded a Municipal Bridge Program grant from the Federal Highway Administration. The Department of Recreation and Parks applied for and was awarded a Transportation Enhancement Program grant from the Federal Highway Administration. These grants will provide up to $4,874,348.00 of the funding and the City will provide the local match.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested in order to enter into necessary agreements at the earliest possible time and to maintain proper accounting practices.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into necessary agreements with the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation and to accept and expend grant funding for the Bridge Rehabilitation - Fifth Avenue over Scioto River project; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Bridge Rehabilitation - Fifth Avenue over Scioto River project has been identified by the City as a potential project due to bridge inspection showing that the superstructure is currently considered to be in poor condition and is in need of replacement. The multi-use path will be a section for the Scioto Trail bikeway project; and
WHEREAS, the City has contracted with GLAUS, PYLE, SCHOMER, BURNS AND DEHAVEN in order to design this bridge; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service has applied for and been awarded a Municipal Bridge Program grant from the Federal Highway Administration for the various phases of the project; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Recreation and Parks has applied for and been awarded a Transportation Enhancement Program grant from the Federal Highway Administration for the various phases of the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for these grants and to accept the grant funding for the improvement of the Fifth Avenue over Scioto River project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements, accept and expend grant funding for the Bridge Rehabilitation - Fifth Avenue over Scioto River project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, in that it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements for this project to maintain proper accounting practices; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service is authorized to enter into agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation and to accept and expend grant funding for the Bridge Rehabilitation - Fifth Avenue over Scioto River project.
SECTION 2. That at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 3. That 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 4. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unencumbered balance in the project account to the unallocated balance 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 no longer required for said project; except that no transfer shall be made from a project account by monies from more than one source.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper project accounting numbers as appropriate.
SECTION 6. 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 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 day after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.