Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to increase the funding for utility relocation work as needed by American Electric Power, Columbia Gas of Ohio, and other utilities (or companies hired by utilities to perform utility relocation work) for the Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension from Central College to Walnut project in an amount up to $350,000.00, bringing the total amount for utility relocation funding for this project to $550,000.00.
The Department of Public service is engaged in the Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension from Central College to Walnut Road project. Phase 1 of the project will build a 3-lane roadway to Site Drive 3, an intersection with a private drive approximately 1000' north of Central College Road. The roadway will remain uncurbed and the typical section will accommodate future widening of the road to a 5-lane section. Construction will also include sidewalk, street lighting, stormwater controls, and a right-in, right-out approximately 300' north of Central College Road. The intersection of Hamilton Road and Central College Road will become 4-way stop controlled.
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 the public health, safety and welfare, including the economic development of the City. It is necessary to move utilities to complete this project.
Ordinance 0541-2019 authorized the Director of Public Service to provide funding for utility relocation work as needed by American Electric Power, Columbia Gas of Ohio, and other utilities (or companies hired by utilities to perform utility relocation work) for the Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension from Central College to Walnut project in an amount up to $200,000.00. The funding request for utilities relocation reimbursement is based upon estimates from the utilities and the utility companies invoice the City for actual costs incurred in relocating the utilities. The amount needed may exceed the amount of the initial estimate, as has happened for this project. Additional legislation will be submitted by the Department of Public Service if more funding is needed to complete the utility relocations.
Original utility relocation reimbursement funding: $200,000.00 (ACPO004024, Ord. 0541-2019)
This utility relocation reimbursement request: $350,000.00 (This Ordinance)
Total utility reimbursement funding: $550,000.00
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract is available within Fund 7441, the Albany Crossing TIF Fund. The $350,000.00 will need an IntraFund transfer to establish cash in the proper project, and the funds will need to be appropriated.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested to provide funding for utility reimbursements at the earliest possible time to maintain the project construction schedule.
Title
To transfer funds between projects within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund; to appropriate funds within the Albany Crossing TIF Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to pay utility relocation costs to various utilities for the Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension - Central College to Walnut Road project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $350,000.00 for utility relocations from the Albany Crossing TIF Fund for the project; and to declare an emergency. ($350,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is concerned with the use of the various rights-of-way areas in the City as such rights-of-way areas 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, utility relocations must be completed before construction can begin; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for utility relocation expenses for the Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension - Central College to Walnut Rd project; and
WHEREAS, ACPO004024 in the amount of $200,000.00, was authorized by ordinance no. 0541-2019 to pay for utility relocation costs for this project; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to increase the original funding in an amount up to $350,000.00 for the purpose of performing additional utility relocation work in the Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension - Central College to Walnut Road project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes additional funding in the amount of up to $350,000.00 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer and appropriate funds within Fund 7441, the Albany Crossing TIF Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize payment for utility relocation expenses to prevent construction delays, 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 transfer of $350,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7441 (Albany Crossing TIF), from Dept-Div 4401 (Development Administration), Project P441100-100000 (Albany Crossing TIF), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 4401 (Development Administration), Project P530161-100202 (Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension - Central College to Walnut Road), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies 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 ended December 31, 2019, the sum of $350,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 7441 (Albany Crossing TIF), Dept-Div 4401 (Development Administration), Project P530161-100202 (Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension - Central College to Walnut Road), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to reimburse utilities for utility relocation work, or to reimburse companies hired by utilities to perform utility relocation work, for the Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension - Central College to Walnut Rd project.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $350,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7441 (Albany Crossing TIF Fund), in Dept-Div 4401 (Development Administration), Project P530161-100202 (Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension - Central College to Walnut Road), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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 8. For the reasons stated in this ordinance's preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and is effective and in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this ordinance.