Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the encumbrance of funding in the amount of up to $10,000,000.00 relative to the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project and the expenditure of said funds to support construction, utility relocations and construction services for the project.
Administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project, also known as Downtown Ramp Up, consists of several phases culminating in various improvements to the Interstate Route 70 (IR70) and Interstate Route 71 (IR71) corridor in Downtown Columbus, including reconstructing and widening portions of IR70 eastbound and westbound between Fourth Street and Miller Avenue and resurfacing portions of IR70 and IR71. Construction first commenced in the spring of 2019 and is expected to continue through at least 2026. The estimated cost to complete the multi-phase project is $1.4 billion, which will be funded by a combination of federal, state, and local funds.
This legislation seeks to authorize the encumbrance and expenditure of funding in the amount of up to $10,000,000.00 to support anticipated utility relocation, construction, and inspection costs incurred during the completion of current and future phases of the project. A portion of those funds will be immediately earmarked to pay the local share of additional construction costs to be incurred relative to FRA-70-12.68, PID 77372 (Project 4A), which was let on January 18, 2024.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this project is available and appropriated in the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, in an amount of up to $10,000,000.00. An amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned expenditure.
3. MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
ODOT is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio. As such, City of Columbus MBE/WBE/SLBE program requirements are not applicable.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to enable the Department of Public Service to contribute additional funding to ODOT within 40 days of ODOT issuing notice of intent to award relative to FRA-70-12.68, PID 77372 (Project 4A) in order to maintain the project schedule established by ODOT and to promote highway safety.
Title
To amend the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the transfer of cash and appropriation within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to expend up to $10,000,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund relative to the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeway project; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is overseeing the construction of various improvements to IR70/IR71 eastbound and westbound between 4th Street and Miller Avenue as part of the multi-phase Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project, also known as Downtown Ramp Up; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned improvement project is located within the Columbus corporate boundaries; and
WHEREAS, construction of the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project is expected , which will be funded by a combination of federal, state, and local funds; and
WHEREAS, this legislation seeks to authorize the encumbrance and expenditure of funding in the amount of up to $10,000,000.00 to support anticipated utility relocation, construction, and inspection costs incurred during the completion of current and future phases of the project; and
WHEREAS, a portion of those funds will be immediately earmarked to pay the local share of additional construction costs to be incurred relative to FRA-70-12.68, PID 77372 (Project 4A), which was let on January 18, 2024; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget and a transfer of cash and appropriation for the purpose of providing sufficient budget authority for the aforementioned project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the passage of this legislation to enable the Department of Public Service to contribute additional funding to ODOT within 40 days of ODOT issuing notice of intent to award relative to FRA-70-12.68, PID 77372 (Project 4A) in order to maintain the project schedule established by ODOT and to promote highway safety, 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 2023 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1711-2023 be and is hereby amended to provide sufficient budget authority for the expenditure as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / Amended
7704 / P440104-100036 / East Franklinton Gravity 2.0 Pedestrian Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $3,100,000.00 / ($3,100,000.00) / $0.00
7704 / P531024-100003 / Roadway Improvements - LinkUS - Northwest Corridor South Knot (Voted Carryover) / $1,550,000.00 / ($800,000.00) / $750,000.00
7704 / P530161-100195 / Roadway Improvements - Stormwater Regional Basins (Voted Carryover) / $1,370,595.00 / ($1,100,000.00) / $270,595.00
7704 / P530161-100207 / Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeway (Voted Carryover) / $30,000,000.00 / $5,000,000.00 / $35,000,000.00
7704 / P530161-100207 / Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeway (Voted 2019 SIT Supported) / $5,000,000.00 / ($5,000,000.00) / $0.00
7704 / P440104-100036 / East Franklinton Gravity 2.0 Pedestrian Improvements (Voted 2019 SIT Supported) / $0.00 / $3,100,000.00 / $3,100,000.00
7704 / P531024-100003 / Roadway Improvements - LinkUS - Northwest Corridor South Knot (Voted 2019 SIT Supported) / $0.00 / $800,000.00 / $800,000.00
7704 / P530161-100195 / Roadway Improvements - Stormwater Regional Basins (Voted 2019 SIT Supported) / $0.00 / $1,100,000.00 / $1,100,000.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $2,764,539.24, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 59-12 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P440104-100036 (East Franklinton Gravity 2.0 Pedestrian Improvements), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 59-12 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P530161-100207 (Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeway), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $335,460.76, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 59-13 (Division of Traffic Management), Project P440104-100036 (East Franklinton Gravity 2.0 Pedestrian Improvements), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 59-12 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P530161-100207 (Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeway), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the transfer of $800,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 59-13 (Division of Traffic Management), Project P531024-100003 (Roadway Improvements - LinkUS - Northwest Corridor South Knot), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 59-12 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P530161-100207 (Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeway), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to contribute funds to the Ohio Department of Transportation and to pay still to be determined utility companies, or companies contracted by utility companies, for construction costs and utility relocation costs related to the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $10,000,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P530161-100207 (Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeway), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 8. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 9. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 10. 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.