Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes additional funding to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Kingsford Road Sidewalks project.
The Department of Public Service is engaged in the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - SRTS Kingsford Road Sidewalks project. The project will construct sidewalks along the west side of Kingsford Road from Briggs Road to Eakin Road and along the north side of Briggs Road from the existing sidewalk west of Kingsford Road to Kingsford Road. Installation of the sidewalk will include curb ramps and drive approaches. Ordinance 2294-2020 established funding in the amount of $30,000.00 to begin acquiring the needed property rights. This ordinance requests another $10,000.00 that is estimated to be needed to complete acquisition for this project.
The Department of Public Service is currently finalizing construction plans and is prepared to authorize right-of-way acquisition pending passage of this funding ordinance.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $10,000.00 are available and appropriated for this project in Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide necessary right-of-way acquisition funding to prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service's Capital Improvement Program.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney's Office to hire professional services and to acquire the property needed for the construction of the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Safe Routes To School (SRTS) Kingsford Road Sidewalks project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $10,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund for the acquisition; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is engaged in the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - SRTS Kingsford Road Sidewalks project; and
WHEREAS, the project will construct sidewalks along the west side of Kingsford Road from Briggs Road to Eakin Road and along the north side of Briggs Road from the existing sidewalk west of Kingsford Road to Kingsford Road; 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, Ordinance 2294-2020 authorized the City Attorney's Office to expend up to $30,000.00 to hire professional services and to negotiate with property owners to begin acquisition of the various property rights necessary to complete the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - SRTS Kingsford Road Sidewalks project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance requests $10,000.00 in additional funding for acquisition for this project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the City Attorney's Office to expend $10,000.00, 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 Pedestrian Safety Improvements - SRTS Kingsford Road Sidewalks project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the necessary right-of-way acquisition for the project to allow construction to begin as soon as possible on this public safety improvement, 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 City Attorney's Office 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, and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way needed to complete the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - SRTS Kingsford Road Sidewalks project in an amount up to $10,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $10,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets & Highways -Bond Fund) in Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P590105-100121 (Pedestrian Safety Improvements - SRTS Kingsford Road Sidewalks), 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 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.