Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Public Service Director to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Cost contract with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for the construction of public rights-of-way improvements around the East Main Street Transit Center. COTA has finalized plans for their second central city transit center of 12,000 square feet on the southeast corner of East Main Street and South Champion Avenue. The Transit Center will cost $2.7 million and is a project in COTA's 2020+ Long Range Transit Plan and supports the Federal Transit Administration's Livable Communities program. The Center will include continuous bus service, public parking, retail services, small-bus neighborhood circulator service and access to commute express bus services linking residents to major employers. Site work is set to begin in May 2004.
This expenditure is budgeted within the Economic and Community Development project within the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund. This ordinance authorizes the transfer of $150,000.00 from the Special Income Tax Fund to 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund. The Special Income Tax transfer is a temporary measure until the City sells notes or bonds to fund this capital improvement.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to enter into a $150,000.00 Guaranteed Maximum Cost contract with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) for purposes of constructing public rights-of-way improvements around the Near East Transit Center; to authorize the appropriation and transfer of $150,000.00 from the Special Income Tax Fund to the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund and to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund for this purpose. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has finalized plans to construct a 12,000 square foot Near East Transit Center on the southeast corner of East Main Street and South Champion Avenue; and
WHEREAS, COTA is working in partnership with the Columbus Compact, Inc., the Near East Area Commission and the Main Street Business Association to meet the neighborhood's needs for transit and commercial services; and
WHEREAS, the Near East Transit Center will provide continuous bus service, small-bus neighborhood circulator service, commute express bus services and community supportive retail services; and
WHEREAS, COTA has secured funds from the Federal Transit Administration, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Columbus Compact and COTA's local match for the $2.7 million facility; and
WHEREAS, the Development Department has agreed to contribute $150,000.00 from its economic development fund and has determined that it is in the City's best interest for the Public Service Director to enter into a contract with COTA for purposes of constructing improvements to the rights-of-way along East Main Street, South Champion Avenue and McAllister Avenue; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Public Service Director to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Cost contract with COTA for $150,000.00 to complete the improvements; 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 enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Cost contract for One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) with the Central Ohio Transit Authority to construct rights-of-way improvements around the Near East Transit Center.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the sum of $150,000.00 be and hereby is appropriated from the unappropriated balance of Fund 430, the Special Income Tax Fund, 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, 2004, to the City Auditor, Department No. 22-01, Object Level One 10, Object Level Three Code 5502 and OCA Code 902023.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor be and hereby is authorized to transfer said funds to Fund 704, the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, Transportation Division, Department No. 59-09, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6631, OCA Code 644385 and Project No. 590415 at such time as is deemed necessary by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. That the sum of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and hereby is authorized to be appropriated and expended from Fund 704, the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, for the Transportation Division, Department No. 59-09, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6631, OCA Code 644385 and Project 590415.
SECTION 5. That upon obtaining other funds for the COTA East Main Street Transit Center project, the City Auditor is hereby authorized to repay the Special Income Tax Fund the amount transferred under Section 3 above, and said funds are hereby deemed appropriated for such purpose.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper project accounting numbers as appropriate.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modification associated with expenditure of the funds transferred in Section 3, above.
SECTION 8. That the City intends that this ordinance constitute an "official intent" for purposes of Section 1.150-2(e) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
SECTION 9. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.