Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The following ordinance authorizes the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division to hire professional services (e.g. surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.) and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Bikeway Development - Tussing Road SUP Brice Road to Hines Road project in the Far East Planning Area (58).
The Department of Public service is engaged in the Bikeway Development - Tussing Road SUP Brice Road to Hines Road project. This project consists of installing a new shared use path (SUP) along the south side of Tussing Road from Brice Road to Hines Road. In addition to the SUP, the project will install curb ramps, drive aprons, and curb and gutter and storm sewer as needed. Enhanced pedestrian crossing will be provided at Americana Parkway and at the Tussing Elementary School.
The cost to acquire the right-of-way needed to complete the project is estimated at $1,300,000.00. If the cost to acquire the needed right-of-way should exceed this estimate, additional legislation will be submitted to Council requesting the needed funding.
The Department of Public service is currently finalizing construction plans and is prepared to authorize right-of-way acquisition pending passage of this funding legislation.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
This is a budgeted expense in the amount of $1,300,000.00 in the Department of Public Service’s 2025 Capital Improvement Budget, Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Project 540002-100105 (Bikeway Development - Tussing Road SUP Brice Road to Hines Road). Funds are appropriated.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to contract for professional services relative to the acquisition of fee simple title and lesser interests in and to property needed for the Bikeway Development - Tussing Road SUP Brice Road to Hines Road project; to authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way necessary to complete this project; to authorize the expenditure of $1,300,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund. ($1,300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is engaged in the Bikeway Development - Tussing Road SUP Brice Road to Hines Road project; and
WHEREAS, the project will include construction of a shared use path (SUP) along the south side of Tussing Road from Brice Road to Hines Road. In addition to the SUP, the project will install curb ramps, drive aprons, and curb and gutter and storm sewer as needed. Enhanced pedestrian crossing will be provided at Americana Parkway and at the Tussing Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, successful completion of this project necessitates the City acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to various properties located along the project corridor as additional rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, right-of-way acquisition cost, including professional services (e.g. surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.), staff and land costs, have been estimated to total $1,300,000.00; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $1,300,000.00 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the City Attorney's Office Real Estate Division to expend $1,300,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to hire professional services and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Bikeway Development - Tussing Road SUP Brice Road to Hines Road project; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, be, and hereby is, authorized to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to certain parcels of real estate, to contract for professional services (e.g. surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.), and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way needed to complete the Bikeway Development - Tussing Road SUP Brice Road to Hines Road project in an amount up to $1,300,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $1,300,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), in Dept-Div 5911 (Infrastructure Management), Project P540002-100105 (Bikeway Development - Tussing Road SUP Brice Road to Hines Road), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.