Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Public Service Director to enter into an agreement to participate in a potentially multi-phased downtown traffic study. This study will be undertaken by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and will be funded by the City of Columbus and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The study will examine the downtown street network, analyze existing and predicted traffic movements and project traffic impacts on alternative future road networks and configurations. The potential reconfiguration of the existing shared I-70/I-71 corridor through downtown will be included in the study as will COTA's proposal for Light Rail Transit. This study is already underway using the ODOT share of the funding.
FISCAL IMPACT: The City of Columbus will be responsible for up to $250,000.00 of the cost of this study. ODOT is responsible for funding up to $120,000.00. City funds for this project are available within the downtown revitalization project within the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund.
Emergency action is requested in order for the study to maintain the schedule suggested by MORPC so that local input and design characteristics can be incorporated into the reconstruction of the reconfiguration of the I-70/I-71 corridor.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to enter into an agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to undertake a downtown traffic study for the Transportation Division; to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus Transportation Division and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) have identified the need to improve the downtown Columbus transportation system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) have agreed to share in the cost of a potentially multi-phased study to this end; and
WHEREAS, the performance of the study is proceeding with full participation by City of Columbus staff in the development of the study scope and selection of consultants prior to passage of this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, monies are available in the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund for this expense, and
WHEREAS, the amount of ODOT's participation is $120,000.00, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Transportation Division, Public Service Department, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the establishment of a contract with MORPC for a downtown traffic study, 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 Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to enter into an agreement with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, 285 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 for $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed to undertake a traffic study to develop a strategic plan for the purpose of improving vehicular traffic flow and capacity and pedestrian safety and projecting traffic movements on alternative future road networks and configurations on downtown roadway infrastructure.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, Fund 704, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6681, OCA Code 530801 and Project 590107 to pay for the cost of said study.
SECTION 3. 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.