Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Department of Public Service to accept a Safe Routes to School grant award from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in the amount of approximately $234,812.00 in order to design and build sidewalk and curb ramps along Rich Street between Central Avenue and Yale Avenue. The final amount of funding awarded is to be determined upon a final scope approved by ODOT expected by early 2010.
The City of Columbus submitted an application for federal Safe Routes to School grant funding in the amount of $234,812.00 to ODOT requesting the use of funds to construct a sidewalk and curb ramps on the south side of Rich Street from Central Avenue to Yale Avenue and matching curb ramps across Rich Street where necessary. City Council passed Ordinance 0094-2009 authorizing the Department of Public Service to apply for the grant. The City was eligible to apply for Safe Routes to School funds after approval of the Franklinton Area School Travel Plan by ODOT in December of 2008. The School Travel Plan was developed as a component of the recently completed Franklinton Community Mobility Plan authorized in Ordinance 1344-2006. The missing sidewalk on Rich Street is identified as a priority in the Franklinton Community Mobility Plan and in the ODOT approved Franklinton Area School Travel Plan. The project will remove existing barriers for pedestrians on Rich Street, particularly school children. The proposed sidewalk location is on a Walk Smart Route, which is an established walking route for Dana Elementary School, and is in close proximity to Starling Middle School.
On March 30, 2009, the City was notified that the Safe Routes to School application had been approved by ODOT for funding contingent on the completion and approval of the final project scope by ODOT. The grant will fund the design, environmental compliance, construction and construction inspection components of the project.
The project length is approximately 1,400 feet. Design and environmental clearance will be managed by ODOT through its consultant, with completion of the design planned in State Fiscal year 2010. The cost for the ODOT consultant will be expended from the grant. The City will bid, award, manage and inspect the construction of the project, planned in State Fiscal Year 20111.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
While no City contribution to the project is anticipated, with the Safe Routes to Schools grant being a 100% reimbursement grant, the City is to pay one hundred percent (100%) of all costs over the amount provided by ODOT.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into an agreement with Ohio Department of Transportation, and to receive approximately $234,812.00 in federal Safe Routes to School grant funds for the Division of Mobility Options.
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, the lack of sidewalk along Rich Street from Central Avenue to Yale Avenue forces elementary school students to walk in the street and increases the risk of "walking along roadway" pedestrian-vehicle crashes; and
WHEREAS, the recommended sidewalk infrastructure along Rich Street from Central Avenue to Yale Avenue is included in the Franklinton Area School Travel Plan approved by ODOT in December 2008 and is, therefore, eligible to receive federal funding; and
WHEREAS, the School Travel Plan incorporated the preferred student walking route as developed cooperatively by the City and Columbus City Schools, entitled Walk Smart Routes; and
WHEREAS, the construction of sidewalk and curb ramps contributes to safe mobility options for pedestrians under the guidance of the Complete Streets principles in Resolution 0151X-2008; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Public Service is authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Ohio Department of Transportation, and receive grant monies in the amount of approximately $234,812.00 in order to build sidewalk and curb ramps along Rich Street.
Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.