Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this legislation is to authorize a construction reimbursement agreement between the City of Columbus and the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio ("SWACO") for construction of the Morse Road Eco Center. Ordinance No. 1576-2011, passed September 5, 2011, authorized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SWACO. The MOU outlines the plans and certain commitments of the parties relating to the redevelopment of the Morse Road Eco Station.
Under this reimbursement agreement, SWACO will complete certain public improvements at this location on Morse Road. Infrastructure improvements include, but are not limited to, a solid waste transfer station to be operated by SWACO, a Division of Refuse Collection station, a Division of Fleet Management vehicle repair facility, a truck washing facility and a diesel/unleaded gasoline fueling station. All structures will be sized to sufficiently house all vehicles operating from this location and these facilities will be equipped with safety features to accommodate CNG powered vehicles. The project will be LEED certified as recognized by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
SWACO will supervise the project construction and administration teams and execute the proper contracts for the construction of the Facility. Reimbursement to SWACO by the City shall be apportioned according to the construction costs for the City's and/or shared facilities as compared to the overall costs of the total project, as provided for in the Reimbursement Agreement.
Emergency action is requested to ensure that improvements occur at the earliest possible date and to ensure prompt payments to SWACO, as site improvements and construction activity progresses.
Fiscal Impact: SWACO and the City shall each pay its respective costs for the facilities, and the costs of the shared facilities shall be paid by the entities proportionately for shared infrastructure (such as roadways, parking, retention ponds, etc.), as compared to the overall costs of the project.
Title
To amend the 2011 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to enter into a construction reimbursement agreement with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) for construction of the Morse Road Eco Center; to authorize the expenditure of up to $9,000,000.00 from the Division of Refuse Collection G.O. Bonds Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($9,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2011 Capital Improvement Budget; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 1576-2011, passed September 5, 2011, authorized the Directors of the Department of Finance and Management and the Department of Public Service to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio ("SWACO"); and
WHEREAS, the Morse Road Transfer Station ("MRTS") was built as part of an integrated trash management system by the City, initially designed as a shredder station to process trash for the Columbus Waste-to-Energy Facility. SWACO operates the MRTS as part of the municipal solid waste management system implemented for the region, and SWACO currently leases said facility from the City and utilizes the facility as a solid waste transfer station; and
WHEREAS, the facility accepts approximately 130,000 tons of trash per year from a growing suburban population in Northeast Columbus and southeastern Delaware County, despite the fact that the original design of the facility is not conducive to transfer station operations; and
WHEREAS, the facility, due to its age, is in deteriorating condition and requires renovations, which SWACO and the City have agreed to jointly undertake, since both entities conduct operations at the facility. Such renovations shall result in the construction of the Morse Road Eco-Station Facility, which shall serve as a SWACO Transfer Station, as well as Fleet Management and Refuse Collection outposts for the City; and
WHEREAS, the required replacements and renovations to the original facility are necessary in order to secure a vital part of the community's solid waste infrastructure and ensure the continued provision of essential solid waste services to community residents; and
WHEREAS, SWACO shall act to oversee and/or supervise the facility project, and be responsible for hiring all Construction Manager(s), Construction Administration, Contractor(s), and/or other necessary personnel for the project. The City shall act as the owner representative for the project, and shall be responsible for reimbursing all costs relating to its facilities as part of the project, as well as proportional costs of shared facilities; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is necessary to authorize a construction reimbursement agreement with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio for construction of the Morse Road Eco Station to ensure that improvements occur at the at the earliest possible date and for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, property and welfare; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2011 Capital Improvement Budget be amended as follows to provide sufficient authority for this expenditure:
Fund / Project / Project Name
703 / 520004-100003 / New Morse Road Transfer Station (Voted 2008) / $9,000,000.00 / ($9,000,000.00) / $0
703 / 520756-100001 / Morse Road Renovations- Morse Road Transfer Station (Voted 2008) / $0 / $9,000,000.00 / $9,000,000.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a construction reimbursement agreement with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio for construction of the Morse Road Eco Center.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of up to $9,000,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary in regard to the action authorized in SECTION 2, be and is hereby authorized from the Refuse Collection G.O. Bonds Fund and is approved as follows:
Division: 59-02
Fund: 703
Project: 520756-100001
OCA Code: 735601
Object Level 1: 06
Object Level 3: 6621
Amount: $9,000,000.00
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper project accounting numbers as appropriate.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.