Explanation
1.BACKGROUND
Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) is a federal program, which provides limited funds to states including Ohio. These funds are available to municipalities as grants to be used to improve the ability of elementary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute agreements for approved projects. Additionally, ODOT requires that the City of Columbus act as the Local Public Agency (LPA) to manage the project. This is a reimbursement program, meaning that if funds are awarded the LPA must agree to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the construction cost over and above the maximum amount provided by ODOT.
With City Council authorization, the Department of Public Service intends to apply for two SRTS grants. The Ohio Department of Transportation requires a separate ordinance be submitted for each grant applictation. This ordinance is intended for the first of two grant applications, to authorize the Director to construct curb extensions and traffic signal improvements around Weinland Park Elementary School. Curb extensions shorten the length of the crosswalk thereby reducing pedestrian exposure to traffic, and slow traffic by narrowing the roadway and increase sight distances by preventing illegally parked vehicles near the crosswalk. In order to be eligible for these funds, the projects must be contained in a School Travel Plan approved by ODOT. A School Travel Plan, which includes these projects, for Weinland Park Elementary was approved by ODOT in December 2011. The Weinland Park School Travel Plan was developed as part of a General Engineering contract task order in 2011. Ordinance 0306-2012 will authorize authority for the second grant application.
For the 2012 SRTS funding cycle, the City will apply for 100% ODOT funding covering the cost of environmental clearance, construction and construction inspection of curb extensions signal improvements at the intersection of Indianola Avenue at Seventh Avenue, near Weinland Park Elementary School. Depending on the amount of the grant awarded, design will be conducted either by City staff, an ODOT consultant contract or through a City consultant contract. Construction is expected to occur in 2014. No right-of-way acquisition for the proposed projects is anticipated at this time.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to prepare and execute applications and any consequential project agreements for awarded projects. The legislation will also enable the City of Columbus to act as the LPA for the designated SRTS project.
2.FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will provide an opportunity to secure federal funds for a curb extension project and traffic signal improvement project. From the 2008 and 2009 SRTS funding cycles, the Ohio Department of Transportation awarded over $1 million dollars to the City of Columbus to construct a sidewalk on Rich Street between Central Avenue and Yale Avenue, curb extensions on Town St in Franklinton, sidewalks and shared use path along Valleyview Dr and Hague Ave in the Hilltop Area and implement bike and pedestrian safety programs at local schools. The program has funded approximately $31 million in 74 counties since it began in 2004. Projects have included education, planning, sidewalks, pedestrian and bike paths, crosswalks, traffic calming, and bike racks. The maximum SRTS amount available for an infrastructure application in 2012 is $500,000. This money will be awarded in the form of a federal grant. The City will apply up to the maximum amount of $500,000, which includes environmental clearance, design, construction and inspection. Any costs of the project not covered by the SRTS program will be borne by the City of Columbus. If deemed essential to the project, those extra costs will be requested with future legislation.
No financial participation or local match by the City is required at this time.
3.EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The deadline for submission of the application to ODOT is March 2, 2012. Acceptance of a signed application by ODOT is contingent upon passage of this legislation. Therefore, emergency action is requested in order to submit an active application for the March 2, 2012 funding application deadline.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to prepare and execute an application for federal grant funding to improve portions of Indianola Avenue near Weinland Park Elementary School for the Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT); and to execute necessary project agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for SRTS grants approved by ODOT and to declare an emergency. ($-0-)
Body
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has set aside monies for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Projects through the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, Local Public Agencies (LPAs) can apply for these monies and be selected for funding by the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, A School Travel Plan for Weinland Park Elementary School was developed as part of 2011 Department of Public Service general engineering task order; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation has approved the Weinland Park School Travel Plan in accordance with Safe Routes to Schools guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the project along Indianola Ave is included in the approved Weinland Park Elementary School Travel Plan and is eligible to receive federal funding; and
WHEREAS, the School Travel Plan incorporated the preferred student walking route as developed cooperatively by the City and Public Schools, entitled Walk Smart routes; and
WHEREAS, the construction of the project contributes to safe mobility options for pedestrians under the guidance of Complete Streets principles; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service plans on submitting an application for the project to build curb extensions and traffic signal improvements on Indianola Ave near Weinland Park Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation requires that an official be designated on behalf of the LPA to prepare and execute applications for SRTS funds; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Service in that is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to execute an application for federal grant funding for the Safe Routes to Schools program through the Ohio Department of Transportation in order submit an application by the March 2, 2012 deadline and to maintain an active application for an April 2012 award and to execute project agreement forms for approved projects on behalf of the City of Columbus 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 be and is hereby authorized to prepare, execute and submit applications for SRTS funds for the above described project to the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to execute project agreements for the approved projects.
SECTION 3. That if awarded the funds and accepted, 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 Projects, and unless otherwise agreed, the City of Columbus shall: (1) provide adequate maintenance for the described Projects 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 Projects; (3) if necessary, maintain the right-of-way within the City of Columbus, keeping it free of obstructions; and (4) if necessary, hold said right-of-way inviolate for public highway purposes.
SECTION 5. 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 its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.