Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Department of Public Service, Design and Construction Division, is engaged in the Roadway Improvements - Scioto Peninsula - Duct Bank Project, C.I.P. No. 530161-100181. This project involves constructing an underground utility duct bank on West Rich Street, West Town Street, West State Street, Rush Alley, West Capital Street, Starling Street, Belle Street, and relocating overhead utilities underground.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements, it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements or place overhead utilities underground to promote public health, safety, and welfare, including the economic development of the City. These relocations are in areas where the City has previously allowed utilities but established an underground utility district by ordinance 0305-2015; therefore due to this project there is a need to relocate them underground.
This legislation authorizes payment for utility relocation work by AEP, AT&T, Time Warner, Wide Open West, XO and other utilities up to the amount of $2,200,000.00.
City Council recognizes that this ordinance does not identify the utility companies that will receive the reimbursements and understands that its passage will give the Director of Public Service the final decision in determination for such reimbursements. This Council is satisfied it is in the best interests of the City to delegate this reimbursement decision.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
This is a budgeted item in the Department of Public Service’s 2017 Capital Improvement Budget. Funds for this project are available within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The department requests emergency designation so as to provide funding for utility reimbursements at the earliest possible in order to maintain the project schedule of the Roadway Improvements - Scioto Peninsula - Duct Bank Project.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to reimburse various utilities for utility relocation costs incurred in performing the Roadway Improvements - Scioto Peninsula - Duct Bank Project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,200,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($2,200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is vitally concerned with the use of the various rights-of-way areas in the City as such rights-of-way represent a valuable and limited resource that must be utilized to promote the public health, safety, and welfare, including the economic development of the City; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for utility relocation expenses for the Roadway Improvements - Scioto Peninsula - Duct Bank Project in order to provide for quick turnaround of utility relocation work; and
WHEREAS, this is a budgeted expense and funds are available within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, to pay for this expense.
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to reimburse for miscellaneous utility relocation expenses for the Roadway Improvements - Scioto Peninsula - Duct Bank Project at the earliest possible time in order to maintain the project schedule, 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 Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to pay utility relocation costs to various utilities for the Roadway Improvements - Scioto Peninsula - Duct Bank Project.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $2,200,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bonds Fund). Dept-Div 5912 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P530161-100181 (Roadway Improvements - Scioto Peninsula - Duct Bank), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this Council recognizes that this ordinance does not identify the utilities to which the reimbursements will be awarded and understands that its passage will give the Director of Public Service the final decision in determination for such reimbursements. This Council is satisfied it is in the best interests of the City to delegate this reimbursement decision.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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.