Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Director of the Department of Development entered into an agreement with the Short North Special Improvement District, Inc. for professional services for the establishment of a Special Improvement District (SID) on North High Street from the railroad viaduct at the Convention Center north to Smith Place. The Short North SID was created in 1998 for duration of 12 years through 2011. In 2011 the property owners sought and obtained reauthorization for a period of 5 years. The first petition to reauthorize the SID and Articles of Incorporation was approved by City Council by Ordinance 0341-2011, passed March 14, 2011. City Council also adopted the Plan for Improvements and Services to be provided by the Short North SID by Resolution 0026X-2011, adopted March 14, 2011. The necessity to implement the Plan of Improvements and Services and to levy a special assessment for the improvements and services was approved by City Council by Resolution 0047X-2011, adopted April 4, 2011. A final piece of legislation, providing for the levy of assessment to property owners, was approved by City Council by Ordinance 0934-2011, passed June 20, 2011. A portion of each assessment is to be returned to the SID for operational requirements as set forth in the District Plan.
This legislation appropriates and approves the expenditure of that portion of assessments collected in FY 2015 that is to be returned to the SID. This legislation would also allow the Director of Development to enter into a contract with the Short North Special Improvement District, Inc.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this expenditure will be received from the levy of assessments collected from property owners in the Short North Special Improvement District. These funds are deposited into and expended from Agency Fund 306.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Short North Special Improvement District, Inc. for the implementation of services and improvements set forth in the District Plan; to authorize the City Auditor to appropriate and expend up to $400,000.00 from assessments levied from property owners; and to declare an emergency. ($400,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, City Council approved the reauthorization and implementation of a plan for services and improvements for the Short North Special Improvement District for a period of 5 years from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2016; and
WHEREAS, City Council has also levied assessments in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1710 for such purposes, which funds are in the process of collection and are required by law to be distributed to the District by the City; and
WHEREAS, the assessment funds collected by the County and forwarded to the City for disbursement will be available in March and September 2015; and
WHEREAS, this legislation is submitted as an emergency measure because the Short North SID needs to operate its' organization and continue to fund its initiatives in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, there is an emergency in the usual daily operation of the City, requiring the distribution of such funds, and for the further preservation of 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 the Department of Development be, and is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with the Short North Special Improvement District, Inc. for the implementation of the District Plan for services and improvements previously approved by Columbus City Council.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to expend from the year 2015 appropriation to the Short North SID Fund 306, Object Level One 05, Object Level Three 5911, OCA 442137, for the operations requirements set forth in the District Plan from assessments levied pursuant to Resolution 0049X-99 an amount not to exceed $400,000 for assessments, penalties and fees.
SECTION 3. 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 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.