Explanation
Background: The Transportation Division has received complaints about existing conditions at the Norfolk Southern railroad grade crossing at New World Drive. The absence of street lighting at this crossing makes it difficult for motorist and pedestrian traffic to see approaching trains. The problem is exacerbated by railroad cars that are sometimes stored adjacent to the crossing; this makes it difficult to determine whether railroad rolling stock is moving, especially at night. This crossing has no active warning devices and because of low train traffic volume (two trains daily) does not qualify for federal funding for active devices at this time.
The Division anticipates that New World Drive traffic will increase significantly in the next year. A task force is working to reduce and possibly eliminate heavy truck traffic on Watkins road west of the rail yard. Preliminary plans are to increase the turn radius at the New World Drive/Watkins Road intersection and install a traffic signal on New World Drive where it intersects with Alum Creek Drive to provide for easier truck access to IR-70 via Alum Creek Drive. A significant increase in school bus traffic is foreseen in the area as the Columbus Public School District will soon re-open a "swing school" and build an adjacent new school on Watkins Road.
The immediate goal is to provide better lighting at the grade crossing. To this end, the Transportation Division applied to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for grant assistance to install street lighting. This grant application has been accepted by PUCO and they will provide $5,000.00 for this purpose. The Electricity Division will install two streetlights at the crossing and indefinitely maintain and provide power to these lights. This ordinance authorizes the Public Service Director to execute the grant agreement with the PUCO. It also appropriates $5,000.00 within the General Government Grant Fund and authorizes its expenditure for this purpose.
Fiscal Impact: This grant will cover the cost of installing street lighting at this crossing. The Electricity Division will incur maintenance/power provision expenses that are subsequently billed to and paid from the Transportation Division's operating budget.
Emergency action is requested to attempt to mitigate any inherent dangers at this crossing location as quickly as possible to promote and enhance public safety.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to execute an agreement with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for a $5,000.00 grant to be used to install street lighting adjacent to the New World Drive/Norfolk Southern railroad grade crossing for the Transportation Division; to authorize the appropriation of $5,000.00 within the General Government Grant Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $5,000.00 from the General Government Grant Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($5,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Transportation Division has received complaints about existing conditions at the Norfolk Southern railroad grade crossing at New World Drive due to the absence of street lighting; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Division applied to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for grant assistance to install street lighting at this location and the PUCO will provide $5,000.00 for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, the Electricity Division will install two street lights at the crossing and indefinitely maintain and provide power to these lights; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Public Service Director to execute the grant agreement with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, appropriates $5,000.00 within the General Government Grant Fund, and authorizes its expenditure for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, in that it is immediately necessary to execute said grant agreement and authorize this appropriation and expenditure of funds to attempt to mitigate any inherent dangers at this crossing location as quickly as possible, 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 Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to execute an agreement with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for the latter's provision of a $5,000.00 grant for the installation of two street lights at the Norfolk Southern railroad grade crossing at New World Drive.
SECTION 2. That the sum of $5,000.00 be and hereby is appropriated from the unappropriated balance of Fund 220, the General Government Grant 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, 2005, to Department No. 59-09, the Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6625, OCA Code 595012 and Grant 595012.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in Section 1 shall be paid upon order of the Public Service Director and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to expend $5,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to the Electricity Division for the latter's installation of said street lights from Fund 220, the General Government Grant Fund, Department No. 59-09, the Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6625, OCA Code 595012 and Grant 595012.
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 passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.