Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The following ordinance authorizes the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division to hire professional services (e.g. surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.) and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road project in the Far West Planning Area (36).
The Department of Public service is engaged in the Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road project. This project consists of improvements to the intersections of Roberts Road at Frazell Road and Roberts Road and Spindler Road. Improvements include two T-intersections being reconfigured to a double compact roundabout. Bicycle improvements include shared use path on the north side of Roberts Road from Brookford Drive to Willow Glen Road. Pedestrian improvements include new sidewalk on the south side of Roberts Road and the west side of Spindler Road. Stormwater improvements include new storm sewers and drainage. Other improvements include curb, curb ramps, and lighting.
The cost to acquire the rights-of-way needed to complete the project is estimated at $750,000.00. If the cost to acquire the needed rights-of-way should exceed this estimate, additional legislation will be submitted to Council requesting the needed funding.
The Department of Public Service is currently finalizing construction plans and is prepared to authorize rights-of-way acquisition pending passage of this funding legislation.
Ord. 1780-2023 authorized the Director of Public Service to submit ODOT Highway Safety Improvement Program project applications and to execute project agreements for awarded projects for the Department of Public Service for the Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road project.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amounts of $750,000.00 are budgeted and available for this project in Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget and a transfer of funds is necessary to establish sufficient budget authority for the project.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to complete the project in a timely manner to prevent delays in the project schedule and meet deadlines for the ODOT Highway Safety Improvement Program funding award and the timeline for construction to avoid penalty and to preserve the safety of the traveling public.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds between projects within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to contract for professional services relative to the acquisition of fee simple title and lesser interests in and to property needed for the Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road project; to authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way necessary to complete this project; to authorize the expenditure of $750,000.00 from the Streets & Highways Bond Fund to pay for the project; and to declare an emergency. ($750,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is engaged in the Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road project; and
WHEREAS, this project consists of improvements to the intersections of Roberts Road at Frazell Road and Roberts Road and Spindler Road. Improvements include two T-intersections being reconfigured to a double compact roundabout. Bicycle improvements include shared use path on the north side of Roberts Road from Brookford Drive to Willow Glen Road. Pedestrian improvements include new sidewalk on the south side of Roberts Road and the west side of Spindler Road. Stormwater improvements include new storm sewers and drainage. Other improvements include curb, curb ramps, and lighting; 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 corridors as additional rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, right-of-way acquisition cost, including professional services (e.g. surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.), staff and land costs, have been estimated to total $750,000.00; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $750,000.00 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to establish sufficient budget authority in the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of funds within Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, to establish sufficient cash to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the City Attorney's Office Real Estate Division to expend $750,000.00, 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 Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road 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 prevent delays in the project schedule and meet deadlines for the ODOT Highway Safety Improvement Program funding award and the timeline for construction to avoid penalty and to preserve the safety of the traveling public, 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 2025 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
7704 / P530086 - 100041 / Intersection Improvements - Georgesville Road at Hall Road (Voted Carryover) / $138,871.00 / ($138,871.00) / $0.00
7704 / P530086 - 100047 / Intersection - E. Powell Road and Lyra Drive (Voted Carryover) / $48,387.00 / ($48,387.00) / $0.00
7704 / P538003 - 100000 / Intersection-Cleveland Avenue-5th Ave to Lehner Rd (Voted Carryover) / $73,305.00 / ($73,305.00) / $0.00
7704 / P530086 - 100000 / Misc. Intersection Improvements (Voted Carryover) / $304,926.00 / ($304,926.00) / $0.00
7704 / P538024 - 100000 / Intersection - Cleveland Ave at Myrtle Ave (Voted Carryover) / $71,131.00 / ($71,131.00) / $0.00
7704 / P530086 - 100027 / Intersection Improvements - Hilliard Rome Road at Feder (Voted Carryover) / $523,665.00 / ($113,380.00) / $410,285.00
7704 / P538014-100000 / Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road / $0.00 / $750,000.00 / $750,000.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $138,871.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P530086 - 100041 (Intersection Improvements - Georgesville Road at Hall Road), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P538014-100000 (Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $48,387.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P530086 - 100047 (Intersection - E. Powell Road and Lyra Drive), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P538014-100000 (Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the transfer of $73,305.21, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), Project P538003 - 100000 (Intersection-Cleveland Avenue-5th Ave to Lehner Rd), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P538014-100000 (Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the transfer of $304,926.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5911 (Infrastructure Management), Project P530086 - 100000 (Misc. Intersection Improvements), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P538014-100000 (Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the transfer of $71,130.62, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P538024 - 100000 (Intersection - Cleveland Ave at Myrtle Ave), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P538014-100000 (Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the transfer of $113,380.17, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5911 (Infrastructure Management), Project P530086 - 100027 (Intersection Improvements - Hilliard Rome Road at Feder), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P538014-100000 (Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, 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 (e.g. surveys, title work, appraisals, etc.), and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way needed to complete the Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road project in an amount up to $750,000.00.
SECTION 9. That the expenditure of $750,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P538014 - 100000 (Intersection - Roberts Road at Frazell Road-Spindler Road), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 10. That 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 11. 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 12. 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 13. 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.