Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications for Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration administered by the local agent, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), and to execute project agreement forms for approved projects for the Department of Public Service on behalf of the City of Columbus, and to authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification and local match availability up to the maximum grant amounts of $653,898.00 for JARC, to fund shared use path construction on Olentangy River Road between North Broadway and Ackerman Road and the maximum grant amount $357,884.00 for New Freedom to fund sidewalk construction in this area (e.g. North Broadway between Kenny Road and Olentangy River Road) or other areas determined appropriate. No funds are required at this time; however, a 20% local match is required should grant funds be awarded. The maximum city match required for projects would be $130,780.00 for JARC and $71,577.00 for New Freedom.
In February, 2007, Mayor Michael B. Coleman created the Operation SAFEWALKS program. This program provides priorities and strategies for sidewalk construction in the city of Columbus.
The Columbus Bicentennial Bikeways Plan (BBP) was adopted by City Council in July, 2008, which establishes a prioritized plan for on-street bikeways throughout the city of Columbus.
In April, 2008, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission adopted the Franklin County Coordinated Plan. The purpose of this plan is to better coordinate existing transportation services, as well as document existing gaps in the pedestrian environment. This plan gives agencies and local governments in Franklin County access to federal funds that can be used to address gaps in access to transportation, one of which is sidewalk links to transit.
City Council approved Ordinance 1363-2010 on October 5, 2010 the contract with EMH&T to design the Olentangy River Road shared use path. Design will begin in December, 2010.
JARC and New Freedom proposals for grant funding will be due on February 7, 2011. The Olentangy River Road shared use path project will remove existing barriers for employees trying to reach several major employers, including Riverside Methodist Hospital and the Ohio State University, adjacent senior and disabled populations and numerous citizens, by providing pedestrian and bicycle access to transit routes and ten COTA bus stops. There are a number of pedestrian generators within the project limits, including a shopping plaza. Applying for the JARC and New Freedom grants will fund construction not otherwise scheduled.
If the City's grant applications receive full funding, the JARC grant will fund the construction of approximately 5,400 feet of shared-use path along Olentangy River Road between North Broadway and Ackerman Road; and the New Freedom grant will fund the construction of approximately 1.5 miles of sidewalk providing access to transit stops along streets such as North Broadway between Kenny Road Olentangy River Road, or at other locations to be determined following award of the grant.
To date, the city of Columbus has been awarded New Freedom grants totaling $328,100.00, which have been spent on South High Street sidewalks between Highview and Obetz Road this year, and will be spent on Obetz Road sidewalks between South High Street and Beth Ann Drive in 2011.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
No funds are required at this time; however, a 20% local match is required should grant funds be awarded. The maximum city match required for projects would be $130,780.00 for JARC and $71,577.00 for New Freedom.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications for Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration administered by the local agent, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), and to execute project agreement forms for approved projects for the Department of Public Service on behalf of the City of Columbus, and to authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification and local match availability up to the amount of $653,898.00 for JARC and $357,884.00 for New Freedom and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the city of Columbus recognizes through the Columbus Comprehensive Plan, adopted by Ordinance 2515-93, the benefits of sidewalks and other pedestrian facilities for safety, efficiency and accessibility; and
WHEREAS, on November 24, 2003 Columbus City Council adopted the Olentangy River Road Urban Design Plan, which identified this stretch of roadway as a priority for shared use paths.
WHEREAS, initial findings from the Operation SAFEWALKS program identify over 121 miles of sidewalks missing on major city streets; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Coordinated Plan identified a service strategy of providing sidewalk links to transit; and
WHEREAS, The Columbus Bicentennial Bikeways Plan was adopted by City Council in July, 2008, and
WHEREAS, The Olentangy River Road shared use path project is a project proposed within the Bicentennial Bikeways Plan, and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Franklin County Coordinated Plan allowed access to federal funds for construction of sidewalks; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance will result in more sidewalks and shared use paths in the city of Columbus where they are needed most; now, therefore, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service and Transportation in that is is immediately necessary to pass this ordinance as emergency measure because of the need for the ordinance to become effective by the application deadline of February 7, 2011 for the Job Access Reverse Commute(JARC)/New Freedom Grants; for the preservation of 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 Director of Public Service is authorized to submit applications for Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration administered by the local agent, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), and to execute project agreement forms for approved projects for the Department of Public Service on behalf of the City of Columbus, and to authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification and local match availability up to the amount of $653,898.00 for JARC and $357,884.00 for New Freedom.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is heereby 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 approvals by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.