Explanation
Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) is a federal program, which provides limited funds to states including Ohio. These funds will be used to improve the ability of primary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) solicited Letters of Interest and in January 2007 the City submitted such a letter asking for funding for sidewalk infrastructure projects, one of which is along Valleyview Drive and Hague Avenue. Applications were sent out by ODOT on July 27, 2007 to all respondents whose Letters of Interest met the criteria for Ohio's SRTS program. The City is one of the respondents selected to complete an application for SRTS funding.
ODOT requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute agreements for approved projects. Additionally, ODOT requires that the City of Columbus act as the Local Public Agency (LPA) to manage the project. If funds are awarded the LPA must agree to pay One Hundred Percent (100%) of the construction cost over and above the maximum amount provided by ODOT in order to actually receive the funding.
This legislation will authorize the Public Service Director to prepare and execute applications and any consequential project agreements for approved projects. The legislation will also authorize the City of Columbus to act as the LPA for the designated SRTS projects.
Fiscal Impact: Approval of this legislation will provide an opportunity to secure federal funds for a sidewalk project. Statewide, there were 144 requests to fund comprehensive plans. Amounts requested ranged from $3,500 to $500,000. The maximum SRTS funds available for the City of Columbus project is $250,000. This money will be awarded in the form of a federal grant. The City will apply for the maximum $250,000 and will provide funding for any additional costs of the project within the City of Columbus boundaries.
Funds for the City's share of these programs are included in the 2007 to 2012 Capital Improvement Plan. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of a "quick-to-construct" contract that will be submitted for Council's approval.
Emergency Justification: The deadline for submission of the application to ODOT is September 7, 2007, however, because notification of eligibility was not sent until July 27, 2007 and City Council had already recessed for the summer when the notification was received, ODOT has agreed to allow the City to submit an unsigned application pending passage of this legislation, therefore emergency action is requested.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to prepare and execute an application for federal grant funding for the Safe Routes to Schools program through the Ohio Department of Transportation; to execute project agreement forms for approved projects on behalf of the City of Columbus; and to declare an emergency. ($-0-)
Body
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has set aside monies for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Projects through the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, Local Public Agencies (LPAs) can apply for these monies and be selected for funding by the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, the sidewalk infrastructure project along Valleyview Drive and Hague Avenue are transportation activities eligible to receive federal funding; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation requires that an official be designated on behalf of the LPA to prepare and execute applications for SRTS funds; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Division plans on submitting an application for the following project:
ยท Valleyview Drive from N. Southampton Avenue to Hague Avenue, and on Hague Avenue from Valleyview Drive south to the railroad. The total project length is 1.1 miles, of which 0.33 miles are in the Village of Valleyview. The intent is to build sidewalks that are five feet wide on each side of the street. The total project cost estimate is $360,000; the City's application amount will be $250,000. Because the intent of the project is to provide a safe route for City of Columbus students to and from their residences within the City (through the Village of Valleyview), the portion of the sidewalks within the Village of Valleyview will be built entirely with the SRTS funds; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to execute an application for federal grant funding for the Safe Routes to Schools program through the Ohio Department of Transportation and to execute project agreement forms for approved projects on behalf of the City of Columbus for the preservation of 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 Public Service Director be and is hereby authorized to prepare, execute, and submit applications for SRTS funds for the above described project to the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation.
SECTION 2: That the Public Service Director be and is hereby authorized to execute project agreements for approved projects on behalf of the City of Columbus Transportation Division.
SECTION 3: That the sum total cost of the project is estimated to be $360,000.
SECTION 4: That if awarded the funds, the City of Columbus agrees to pay One Hundred Percent (100%) of the construction cost over and above the maximum amount provided by the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation.
SECTION 5: That upon completion of the described Projects, and unless otherwise agreed, the City of Columbus shall: (1) provide adequate maintenance for the described Projects in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws, including, but not limited to, 23 USC 116; (2) provide ample financial provisions, as necessary, for the maintenance of the described Projects; (3) if necessary, maintain the right-of-way within the City of Columbus, keeping it free of obstructions; and (4) if necessary, hold said right-of-way inviolate for public highway purposes.
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 its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.