Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Department of Public Service is currently engaged in the Intersection Improvements - Gender Road at Refugee Road project. The purpose of this project is to reconstruct this intersection to improve the operation and safety of the intersection.
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into necessary agreements with and to accept and expend grant funds from the Ohio Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing funding for the various phases of this project. The ODOT project designation is FRA- CR - 222 PID 90241.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
The Department of Public Service has requested grant funding from two sources for this project. The first is a Highway Safety Program (HSP) grant. This grant will provide up to 90% of the funding and the City will provide a 10% match. The Department of Public Service has also requested funding in the amount of $1,360,000.00 for the construction of the project from the Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested in order to enter into necessary agreements at the earliest possible time and to maintain proper accounting practices
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation necessary and to accept and expend grant funding for the Intersection Improvements - Gender Road at Refugee Road project; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the intersection of Gender Road at Refugee Road has been identified by the City as a potential project to construct improvements to improve the safety of the intersection; and
WHEREAS, the City has partnered with the Ohio Department of Transportation order to study this intersection and propose possible improvements to the intersection; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service has applied for and been awarded a Highway Safety Program grant from the Federal Highway Administration for the various phases of the project and has also requested grant funding from the Mid Ohio Regional Planning commission for construction of the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for these grants, and to accept the grant funding, including the MORPC grant, if awarded, for the improvement of the Gender Road at Refugee Road intersection; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements, accept and expend grant funding for the Intersection Improvements - Gender Road at Refugee Road project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, in that it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements for this project to maintain proper accounting practices; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service is authorized to enter into agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation and to accept and expend grant funding for the Intersection Improvements - Gender Road at Refugee Road project.
SECTION 2. That at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 3. That funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated.
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 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 day after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.