Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Participation Agreement with Franklin County for the Weston Real Estate Market Study and Economic Development Strategy. The city of Columbus (the City) and Franklin County (the County) have been working together with local stakeholders in addressing the development needs of the Weston Planning Area, which is located in the W. Broad Street and Georgesville Road corridors (east of I-270). The Weston Planning Area seeks to revitalize this important business district. The City and the County both have a direct interest in the successful revitalization of the Weston Planning Area and desire to contract with the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (COCIC) in order to solicit and select (in consultation with the City and the County) a professional consultant to prepare the Weston Real Estate Market Study and Economic Development Strategy.
The cost for hiring the consultant for this initiative is estimated to be approximately $125,000.00. The City's portion shall not exceed $75,000.00. The cost of hiring the consultant will be shared by both jurisdictions and both have agreed to provide funds to finance a portion of the costs of the consultant. The funds will be provided to the County, which is contracting with the COCIC to serve as the financial agent for the parties hereto, to pay such costs. The willingness of the City and the County to both participate in this initiative and share funding assistance is based upon the understanding and condition that all parties adhere to each and every element and principle contained in this Agreement.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid further delays in the planning process.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for the City's share of the Participation Agreement is allocated from the General Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Participation Agreement with Franklin County for the Weston Real Estate Market Study and Economic Development Strategy; to authorize the expenditure of up to $75,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($75,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus and Franklin County are local jurisdictions within the Weston Planning Area located in the W. Broad Street and Georgesville Road corridors east of I-270; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus and Franklin County are parties to this agreement and have been involved in the initial planning and zoning activity to guide revitalization of the Weston Planning Area; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Hilltop Plan Amendment, adopted by City Council in 2010, designates the W. Broad Street corridor for revitalization as an important economic development area of the City; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus and Franklin County both have a direct interest in the successful revitalization of the Weston Planning Area; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus and Franklin County desire to contract with the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (COCIC) as financial agent and for the purpose of soliciting and selecting (in consultation with the City and the County) an appropriate professional consultant to prepare the Weston Real Estate Market Study and Economic Development Strategy; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus and Franklin County desire to have the COCIC enter into an Agreement with the consultant selected by mutual agreement among the parties; and
WHEREAS, the costs for hiring the consultant for this initiative are estimated to be approximately $125,000.00; the City of Columbus portion shall not exceed $75,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus and Franklin County recognize that the costs for the hiring of the consultant should be shared by both jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus and Franklin County have agreed to provide funds to finance the costs of the consultant, which funds shall be provided to Franklin County to be used by the COCIC, as the financial agent for the parties hereto, to pay such costs; and
WHEREAS, the willingness of the city of Columbus and Franklin County to both participate in this initiative and to share the funding is based upon the understanding and condition that all parties adhere to each and every element and principle contained in this Agreement, and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested in order to avoid further delays in the planning process; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Participation Agreement for the Weston Real Estate Market Study and Economic Development Strategy and to authorize the expenditure of said funds, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a Participation Agreement with Franklin County for the Weston Real Estate Market Study and Economic Development Strategy.
Section 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $75,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund, Department No. 44-02, Fund 010, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA Code 440314.
Section 3. 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.