Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and to provide funding to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) relative to FRA-70-21.33, PID 109014, also known as the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project.
The aforementioned project, which is being administered by ODOT, encompasses various safety upgrades at the interchange of I-70 and Hamilton Road, including: widening the Hamilton Road ramp to I-70 eastbound to two lanes; realigning the I-70 east entrance and exit ramps at the SR 317/Hamilton Road intersection; removing the I-70 east to SR 317 NB connector and the connector to Hilton Corporate Drive; and upgrading the traffic signal at that location.
ODOT previously agreed to install additional interconnect conduits within the project limits at the request of the Department of Public Service, Division of Traffic Management, and Ordinance 1372-2021 authorized the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and provide funding in the amount of $34,000.00 to facilitate the completion of necessary design revisions in order to incorporate the additional conduits into Stage 3 project plans.
The purpose of this ordinance is to facilitate the installation of those conduits during the construction phase of the aforementioned project, which is expected to commence in early 2023.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $245,770.00 is available in the Gas Tax Fund within the Department of Public Service.
3. MINORITY AND WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE & SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
ODOT is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio and intends to be solely responsible for all costs incurred during the completion of the necessary highway improvements. As such, MBE/WBE/SLBE program requirements are not applicable.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested in order to prevent avoidable delays in the project schedule established by ODOT and to promote highway safety.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and provide funding to the Ohio Department of Transportation relative to the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $245,770.00 from the Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($245,770.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is administering FRA-70-21.33, PID 109014, also known as the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned project, which encompasses various safety upgrades at the interchange of I-70 and Hamilton Road, is located within the corporate boundaries of the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, ODOT previously agreed to install additional interconnect conduits at the request of the Department of Public Service, Division of Traffic Management as part of that effort; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1372-2021 authorized the execution of a contribution agreement between the Department of Public Service and ODOT and the expenditure of $34,000 to facilitate the completion of necessary design revisions in order to incorporate the additional conduits into Stage 3 project plans; and
WHEREAS, construction of the aforementioned project is expected to commence in early 2023, necessitating the execution of a second contribution agreement between the parties and the expenditure of up to $245,770.00 relative to the installation of the additional conduits in conjunction with that effort; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and to provide funding to ODOT for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this ordinance to facilitate the execution of the requisite contribution agreement and the encumbrance and expenditure of needed construction funding as soon as reasonably practicable in order to prevent avoidable delays in the project schedule established by ODOT and to promote highway safety, 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 enter into agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and to make payment to ODOT relative to FRA-70-21.33, PID 109014, also known as the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $245,770.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2265 (Gas Tax Fund), Dept-Div 5913 (Division of Traffic Management), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 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.