Explanation
The State of Ohio, Department of Transportation, contributes financially to the Freeway Management System program operated by the Public Service Department, Transportation Division by underwriting the salary and fringe benefit expense of two existing (2) Traffic Engineering Associate II positions. The Freeway Management System program attempts to mitigate freeway traffic congestion through cameras that provide "real-time" traffic conditions, changeable overhead message signs, buried pavement detectors and the like that are all centrally monitored and controlled (in the case of the changeable message signs) either manually or by computer.
During the state fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2005), the state's contribution to the city will be in an amount not to exceed $315,000.00. This sum must be appropriated within the General Government Grant Fund for this purpose. This ordinance provides for this appropriation.
Emergency action is requested to establish this appropriation authority as soon as possible in order to promote and be consistent with accurate accounting practices.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $315,000.00 within the General Government Grant Fund for the continued operation of the Freeway Management System program by the Transportation Division, Public Service Department; to authorize the expenditure of these funds as appropriate for this purpose from the General Government Grant Fund and to declare an emergency. ($315,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation, contributes financially to the Freeway Management System operated by the Public Service Department, Transportation Division by underwriting the salary and fringe benefit expense of two existing (2) Traffic Engineering Associate II positions; and
WHEREAS, during the state fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2005), the state's contribution to the city will be in an amount not to exceed $315,000.00; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, in that this sum must immediately be appropriated and authorized for expenditure within the General Government Grant Fund, thereby preserving 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 sum of $315,000.00 be and hereby is appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003, to the Transportation Division, Department No. 59-09, Object Level One Code 01, Object Level Three Code 1100, OCA Code 540002 and Grant 540002.
SECTION 2. That the monies appropriated in Section 1 shall be paid upon order of the Public Service Director and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 3. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to pay expenditures for the Freeway Management System program in an amount not to exceed $315,000.00 from the General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, Transportation Division, Department No. 59-09, Object Level One Code 01, Object Level Three Code 1100, OCA Code 540002 and Grant 540002.
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.