Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes payment for utility relocation work by American Electric Power, AT&T, Spectrum (aka Time Warner), Windstream, and other utilities as needed in an amount up to $2,750,000.00.
The Public Service Department is engaged in the Roadway Improvements - Creative Campus project. Project work includes design of roadway and streetscape improvements to North Washington Avenue from East Broad Street to East Long Street, North 9th Street from East Broad Street to East Long Street, and East Gay Street from Cleveland Avenue to North Washington Avenue in the area known as Creative Campus located in Downtown Columbus (CPA 18). Project improvements include roadway reconstruction, sidewalks, street trees, drainage, waterline improvements, 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 the welfare including the economic development of the City. It is necessary to move utilities to complete this project.
The funding request for utilities relocation reimbursement is based upon estimates from the utilities. The utilities will invoice the City for actual costs incurred in relocating the utilities. The amount needed may exceed the amount requested in this ordinance. Additional legislation will be submitted by the Department of Public Service if additional funds are needed to complete the relocations.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a budgeted expense. Funds for this project are available within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, within the Department of Public Service’s 2017 Capital Improvement Budget.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Public Service is requesting emergency designation so as to provide funding for utility reimbursements at the earliest possible time to maintain the project construction schedule.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to pay utility relocation costs to various utilities for the Roadway Improvements - Creative Campus project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,750,000.00, for utility relocations for this project from the Streets & Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($2,750,000.00)
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 - Creative Campus project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $2,750,000.00 for that purpose; 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 at the earliest possible time 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 Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to reimburse utilities for utility relocation costs to American Electric Power, AT&T, Spectrum (aka Time Warner), Windstream, and other utilities as necessary, for the Roadway Improvements - Creative Campus project.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $2,750,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), in Dept-Div 59-12 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P440104-100007 (Roadway Improvements - Creative Campus), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 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 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.