Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is accepting Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Round 26 applications for the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) and State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). MORPC serves in a staff support capacity to the District Three (Franklin County) Public Works Integrating Committee (PWIC).
OPWC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects. Additionally, OPWC is required to award a minimum of 20% of the SCIP funding as a no interest 20-year loan; in order to make City applications more favorable, some of the applications may include a request for a no interest loan. Therefore, the applications and ensuing agreements may also require a signature from the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications and to execute project agreements for approved projects. The legislation will also authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment.
2. EXPECTED PROJECTS
The Department of Public Service plans to submit applications for the following projects:
NCR-Milo Grogan (5th and Cleveland): The Department of Development has money budgeted in the 2011 CIB for this project. A successful award would reduce the funding required by Development. (Expected ask approximately $2.7M). This is the old Columbus Coated Fabric and Timken sites. In collaboration with Wagenbrenner Development this project fixes deteriorating roadways, widens sidewalks, and realigns an intersection to improve safety. This is a desired project because of its location and public private collaborations as well as fixing safety and pedestrian issues.
Group Intersections: Three intersections have been chosen to be combined into a single application and will likely be sold under one construction bid. All three intersections have completed design and are awaiting funds for construction. (Expected ask approximately $2.2M). These three locations were chosen due to safety concerns. The intersections are:
Hudson/McGuffey - this project will fix an offset intersection which is currently creating an accident issue
as vehicles must make a "jog" to continue straight thru (north/south) the intersection.
Livingston/Lockbourne - this project will add left turn lanes. The lack of such turn lanes currently results in
congestion issues and accidents.
Alkire/Holt - this project will add left turn lanes in all directions as well as a right turn lane on Alkire. This will
alleviate congestion and safety concerns.
Third Avenue (near Grandview Yard Development) in cooperation with NRI: This project was submitted last year, but just missed being funded. (Expected ask approximately $1.2M). At this time, Third Avenue
Phase 1 improves Third Avenue from the railroad bridge west to Norton Avenue. This will help alleviate future traffic congestion and crashes resulting from increased traffic from the Grandview Yard Development. This project is another good example of public private collaborations.
(This listing is meant to be illustrative and is believed to be accurate and complete; however, last minute project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service.)
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will provide an opportunity to secure funds for various projects. The approximate available funding to the District Three Public Works Integrating Committee is approximately $20,349,000.00, and it is to be awarded in the form of grants and loans. As a part of the application for grant funds, the City will apply for a maximum of $3,000,000 in loans as necessary to make the applications more favorable to OPWC and the City.
Based on population, the City of Columbus' share can be 40%, more or less, of the total amount available. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts and/or construction contracts that will be or have been submitted for Council's approval.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications for Round 26 of the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program and to execute project agreement forms for approved projects for the Department of Public Service on behalf of the City of Columbus, and to authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Public Works Commission requires that the City of Columbus designate and authorize officials to submit Round 26 applications, execute project agreements, sign for funding use certification and local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment for Local Transportation Improvement and State Capital Improvement Programs; and
WHEREAS, application amounts are approximate depending upon OPWC scoring criteria; and
WHEREAS, approved applications will require execution within 45 days of notification by the Ohio Public Works Commission; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. The Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to submit applications and execute project agreements with the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service for the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program projects. The Director of Public Service and Director of Finance and Management be and are hereby authorized to submit loan documents and borrow money from the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service for projects as awarded under the State Capital Improvement Program. The Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, are authorized to sign any consequential promissory notes for a grand total of no more than $3,000,000 to certify Round 26 OPWC funding for the City's SCIP loan portion of any project that is awarded a 20-year no interest loan.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period by law.