Explanation
Background: The Public Service Department Transportation Division completed construction of the Stelzer Road Improvement project in 1995. This project included the widening of Stelzer Road and intersection improvements at McCutcheon Road.
Ordinance 1933-2000 passed by City Council on July 31, 2000, authorized the City to enter into a contract for the Sancus Boulevard - Phase 1 Improvement project. This project included the expansion of Sancus Boulevard to five lanes and the addition of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and lighting.
Utility relocations were a necessary part of these improvements. It is necessary to reimburse the affected utilities because the two construction projects displaced their facilities from easements obtained by and in the name of the utilities. The utilities submit estimates of the utility relocation costs to the City at the beginning of the project but final relocation expenses often cannot be ascertained until project completion.
This legislation authorizes payment for completed utility relocation work on these projects based on the final invoices received from Columbia Gas of Ohio and American Electric Power Company, respectively.
Fiscal Impact: The Transportation Division budgeted $512,772 in the 2004 Capital Improvements Budget for utility reimbursements. This ordinance authorizes a total of $96,713.86 for utility reimbursements with Columbia Gas in the amount of $5,792.17 for the Sancus Boulevard project , to American Electric Power Company in the amount of $25,381.69 for the Sancus Boulevard project, and $65,540.00 to American Electric Power for the Stelzer Road project.
Emergency action is requested to reimburse these utilities for their relocation work and allow the projects to be closed.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to pay Columbia Gas of Ohio and American Electric Power Company for utility relocation costs incurred in conjunction with the Sancus Boulevard - Phase 1 Improvement project and the Stelzer Road Improvement project for the Transportation Division; to authorize the expenditure of $96,713.86 from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($96,713.86)
Body
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, required utility relocation work to be performed by Columbia Gas of Ohio for the Sancus Boulevard - Phase 1 Improvement project; and
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, required utility relocation work to be performed by American Electric Power Company for the Sancus Boulevard - Phase 1 Improvement project and the Stelzer Road Improvement project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize payment for utility relocations due to the existence of dedicated utility easements by the named utility companies; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the expenditure of funds for completed utility relocation work to reimburse these utilities in a timely manner so that final closeout of these projects can be completed, 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 Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to pay utility relocation costs to Columbia Gas of Ohio in the amount of $5,792.17 for the Sancus Boulevard - Phase 1 Improvement project.
SECTION 2. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to pay utility relocation costs to American Electric Power Company in the amount of $65,540.00 for the Stelzer Road Improvement project and $25,381.69 for the Sancus Boulevard - Phase 1 Improvement project (total $90,921.69).
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $96,713.86, or so much thererof as may be needed, be and hereby is authorized from Fund 704, the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6631, OCA Code 644385 and Project 590126 to pay the cost of said utility relocations.
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.