Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to contribute additional funding to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to support the completion of the FRA-70-14.56 (Project 2G) Grant Avenue Bridge over I-70 project, PID 103487.
The aforementioned project encompasses various improvements to IR 70/71 and adjacent roadways, including reconstructing 0.5 miles of IR70/71 and portions of Mound Street, Fulton Street, and Grant Avenue and replacing the Grant Avenue Bridge over IR70/71.
Ordinance 3215-2016 authorized the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with ODOT for the project, and Ordinance 1006-2017 authorized the Director of Public Service to enter into agreement with and provide funding to ODOT in the amount of $1,391,214.51 to pay the local share of construction costs. However, the apparent low bid received by ODOT on May 18, 2017, exceeded by the original cost estimate by more than fifteen percent.
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the encumbrance and expenditure of additional funds to satisfy the City’s financial obligation to ODOT for the project.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $577,320.00 is available in the Streets and Highways Bond Fund within the Department of Public Service for this project expenditure.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to allow ODOT to maintain the planned construction schedule and to promote highway safety.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to contribute additional funding to ODOT to support the completion of the Grant Avenue Bridge over I-70 project; to authorize the expenditure of $577,320.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($577,320.00)
Body
WHEREAS, ODOT is administering the FRA-70-14.56 (Project 2G) Grant Avenue Bridge over I-70 project, which encompasses the construction of various improvements to IR70/71 and adjacent roadways; and
WHEREAS, this improvement project is within the City of Columbus corporate boundaries; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3215-2016 authorized the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with ODOT for this project; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1006-2017 authorized the Director of Public Service to enter into agreement with and provide funding to ODOT to construct the proposed improvements; and
WHEREAS, ODOT received construction bids on May 18, 2017, and the apparent low bid substantially exceeded the cost estimate for those services; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to contribute additional funding to ODOT to support the completion of the FRA-70-14.56 (Project 2G) Grant Avenue bridge over I-70 project, PID 103487; 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 encumbrance and expenditure of requisite funding for the project so as to prevent unnecessary delays in the completion thereof, 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 make payment to the Ohio Department of Transportation to support the completion of the FRA-70-14.56 (Project 2G) Grant Avenue bridge over I-70 project, PID 103487.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $577,320.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 59-12 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P530161-100139 (Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 East Interchange - Phase 2D), 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 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.