Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) annually accepts applications to fund projects using Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program funds. SRTS funds are available to communities as grants to be used to improve the ability of elementary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely. A community may be awarded up to $1,000,000 for an infrastructure project. March 7, 2025 is the deadline for the current Safe Routes to School application cycle.
The Department of Public Service has prepared a Safe Routes to School application, with a current focus on filling sidewalk gaps along priority corridors for five schools: Cranbrook Elementary School, Eastgate Elementary School, Innis Elementary School, Northtowne Elementary School, and Scottwood Elementary School.
2. EXPECTED PROJECT
The Department of Public Service submitted an application for the following project:
Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gaps: This project is focused on filling sidewalk gaps on or near priority corridors for five different elementary schools: Cranbrook ES, Eastgate ES, Innis ES, Northtowne ES, Scottwood ES. The proposed sidewalk gaps to be filled are as follows:
• Cranbrook ES
o Fishinger Road - Sidewalk gap on the south side of a priority corridor for the school, from Easton Place east to existing sidewalk.
• Eastgate ES
o Stratford Way - Sidewalk gap on the south side of a priority corridor for the school, from approximately Greenway Avenue west to existing sidewalk.
• Innis ES
o Walnut Creek Drive- Sidewalk gap on the west/north side of a priority corridor for the school, from Stonehenge Drive south to existing sidewalk.
o Woodsedge Road- Sidewalk gap on the east/south side of a priority corridor for the school, between Winding Hills Drive/Woodsedge Court and Broadleaf Lane.
o Woodsedge Road- Sidewalk gap on the east/south side of a priority corridor for the school, from Woodsedge Court south to existing sidewalk.
• Northtowne ES
o Waymont Road - sidewalk gap on the south side of a priority corridor for the school, from Heaton Road east to existing sidewalk.
o Heaton Road- sidewalk gap on the west side, from Waymont Road north to existing sidewalk.
• Scottwood ES
o Seabrook Avenue- Sidewalk gap on the south side of a priority corridor for the school, from Picard Road east to existing sidewalk.
o Coburg Road/Seabrook Avenue - This is a corner sidewalk gap at the intersection of Coburg Road and Seabrook Avenue. On Coburg Avenue, sidewalk gap is on the east side of a priority corridor for the school, from Seabrook Avenue south to existing sidewalk. On Seabrook Avenue, the sidewalk gap is on the south side of a priority corridor for the school, from Coburg Road east to existing sidewalk.
o Seabrook Avenue - Sidewalk gap on the north side, from Selkirk Road to Courtright Road.
o This project would also install three Type II crosswalks along Seabrook Avenue at its intersections with Picard Road, Coburg Road, and Selkirk Road. All three crosswalks would be installed across the intersections’ south legs. The current project cost estimate for this phase is approximately $668,754.00.
(This listing is meant to be illustrative and is believed to be accurate and complete; however, last minute project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service.)
3. FISCAL IMPACT
No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts, right of way acquisition, and/or construction contracts that will be submitted for Council's approval.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service, to execute grant agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation relative to the Safe Routes to School Program; to accept and expend grant funds; and to issue refunds if necessary after final accounting is performed. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation has accepted applications for Safe Routes to School program funds; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications to, and to execute grant agreements with, ODOT, to accept and expend awarded grant funds, and to issue refunds, if necessary, for approved projects; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to execute grant agreements, with the Ohio Department of Transportation relative to the Safe Routes to School Program; and to accept and expend awarded grant funds.
SECTION 2. The Department of Public Service submitted an application for the project listed above. City Council understands and approves that this list may change at the discretion of the Director of Public Service if other projects are found to be good candidates to be awarded these grant funds or if a reason should be found not to submit one of the listed projects.
SECTION 3. That if awarded the funds, the City of Columbus agrees to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the construction cost over and above the maximum amount provided by the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation.
SECTION 4. That upon completion of the described Project, and unless otherwise agreed, the City of Columbus shall: (1) provide adequate maintenance for the described Project in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws, including, but not limited to, 23 USC 116; (2) provide ample financial provisions, as necessary, for the maintenance of the described Project; (3) if necessary, maintain the right-of-way, keeping it free of obstructions; and (4) if necessary, hold said right-of-way inviolate for public highway purposes.
SECTION 5. The Department of Public Service is authorized to issue refunds of awarded or reimbursed grant funds, if necessary, after final accounting is performed or when notified by the Department of Public Service's Division of Design and Construction that a refund can be issued.
SECTION 6. That, at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.