Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Big Darby Watershed is one of the most biologically diverse aquatic systems in the Midwest and is among the top warm freshwater habitats in the nation. The Big Darby Watershed also represents the largest undeveloped area in Franklin County. With the continued growth of Central Ohio, the watershed has experienced increased pressure for development in recent years.
On July 21, 2004, elected officials from jurisdictions that comprise the Big Darby Watershed in Franklin County gathered to discuss the importance of protecting the watershed and the need for a common vision for future development. Each jurisdiction expressed its resolve to work cooperatively on the development of a plan that would protect the Big and Little Darby Creeks for future generations. These communities: Columbus, Grove City, Hilliard, Harrisburg, Franklin County, and Prairie, Brown, Pleasant, Norwich, and Washington Townships have formed an agreement in principle to jointly fund the development of the plan.
Emergency action is requested to so that work on the Accord can begin immediately due to the scheduled expiration of the Big Darby Development Moratorium at the end of 2005.
FISCAL IMPACT: $500,000, with The City of Columbus' share being $179,000 and the remainder being split between the other jurisdictions as described herein.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to enter into the Big Darby Accord Participation Agreement with Grove City, Hilliard, Harrisburg, Franklin County, and Prairie, Brown, Pleasant, Norwich and Washington Townships to secure their funding commitments to the Contract for Professional Services; to authorize the acceptance of $321,000 from these jurisdictions; to authorize the Director of Development to enter into contract with EDAW, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for planning services related to the development of the Big Darby Accord; to waive the formal professional service contracts process of Chapter 329 of the City Code; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $321,000 from the General Government Grant Fund; that the Director of Development will draw an amount not to exceed $79,000 from an existing Auditor's Certificate; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000 from the Water Operating Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $50,000 from the Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000)
Body
WHEREAS, the Big Darby Watershed is one of the most biologically diverse aquatic systems in the Midwest and is among the top warm, fresh water habitats in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Watershed represents the largest undeveloped area in Franklin County, Ohio and is experiencing increased pressure for development; and
WHEREAS, on July 21, 2004, elected officials from The City of Columbus, the City of Grove City, The City of Hilliard, the Village of Harrisburg, the Board of Trustees of Prairie, Brown, Pleasant, Norwich and Washington Townships and The Board of Commissioners of Franklin County, jurisdictions that comprise the Big Darby Watershed in Franklin County, gathered to discuss the importance of protecting the watershed and the need for a common vision for future development; and
WHEREAS, each jurisdiction expressed its resolve to work cooperatively on the development of a plan that would protect the Big and Little Darby Creeks for future generations; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire and intend to retain a team of consultants to develop a multi-jurisdictional plan for the growth and development which may occur within the Watershed in Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, a RFP by October 25, 2004 produced ten submissions; and
WHEREAS, four consultants were interviewed by a committee representing all the jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, EDAW, Inc. was selected as the best qualified consultant to develop the plan; and
WHEREAS, the above jurisdictions have formed an agreement in principle to jointly fund the development of the plan and legally bind the parties to their commitments; and
WHEREAS, the breakdown of the funding has been mutually agreed upon as follows:
City of Columbus $ 179,000
City of Grove City $ 20,000
City of Hilliard $ 50,000
Village of Harrisburg $ 1,000
Franklin County $ 125,000
Prairie Township $ 40,000
Brown Township $ 32,500
Pleasant Township $ 32,500
Norwich Township $ 10,000
Washington Township $ 10,000; and
WHEREAS, The parties have agreed that Columbus shall enter into a contract with the consultant on their behalf and shall oversee payments to the consultant for work performed pursuant to the contract; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize said agreements so that work on the Accord can begin immediately due to the scheduled expiration of the Big Darby Development Moratorium at the end of 2005, 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 $321,000 be and is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the Special Income Tax Fund, Fund 430, 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, 2005, to the City Auditor, Department 22-01.
Section 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer said funds to the General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, Grant 441220, at such time as is deemed necessary to the City Auditor, and to expend said funds, or so much thereof as may be necessary.
Section 3. That the Director of Development, on behalf of the City of Columbus, is hereby authorized and directed to enter into the Big Darby Accord Participation Agreement with Grove City, Hilliard, Harrisburg, Franklin County, and Prairie, Brown, Pleasant, Norwich and Washington Townships to secure their funding commitments to the Big Darby Accord.
Section 4: That the Auditor is hereby authorized to accept the $321,000 from the parties set forth in Section 3 to support the consultant costs of the Big Darby Accord.
Section 5. That the Director of Development, on behalf of the City of Columbus, is authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with the consultant, EDAW, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $500,000 for planning services related to the development of the Big Darby Accord.
Section 6. That the formal consultant selection process provisions of Chapter 329 of the City Code be and are hereby waived.
Section 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $321,000 from the General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, Grant Number 441220 to the Department of Development, Division 44-06, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA Code 441220 and that the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to expend said funds for the purpose set forth in Section 5.
Section 8. That the Director of Development will draw an amount not to exceed $79,000, from Auditor's Certificate AC 016087 for the purpose set forth in Section 5.
Section 9. That the expenditure of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from the Department of Public Utilities, Division 60-09, Fund 600 Water Operating Fund, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA Code 603001 for the purpose set forth in Section 5 is hereby authorized.
Section 10. That the expenditure of $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, from the Department of Public Utilities, Division 60-05, Fund 650 Sanitary Sewer Operating Fund, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA Code 605006 for the for the purpose set forth in Section 5 is hereby authorized.
Section 11. All funds necessary to carryout the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated.
Section 12. 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.