Explanation
1.BACKGROUND
Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) is a federal program, which provides limited funds to states including Ohio. These funds are available to municipalities as grants to be used to improve the ability of elementary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute agreements for approved projects. Additionally, ODOT requires that the City of Columbus act as the Local Public Agency (LPA) to manage the project. This is a reimbursement program, meaning that if funds are awarded the LPA must agree to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the construction cost over and above the maximum amount provided by ODOT in order to actually receive the funding.
With City Council authorization, the Department of Public Service intends to apply for a SRTS grant to make infrastructure improvements along Hague Avenue and Valleyview Drive. The scope of projects must be covered by a School Travel Plan approved by ODOT. A School Travel Plan, which includes these projects, for Valleyview Elementary and Westmoor Middle School was approved by ODOT in 2009. The School Travel Plan was developed as a component of the Hilltop Community Mobility Plan.
For the 2009 SRTS funding cycle the City will apply for funds to cover the cost of environmental clearance, design, construction and inspection of an at-grade pedestrian crossing and fencing at the railroad crossing on Hague Avenue south of Valleyview Drive, shared use path on the west side of Hague Avenue from Valleyview Drive south to the railroad and a shared use path on the south side of Valleyview Drive from Valleyview Elementary School and Westmoor Middle School to Hague Avenue. The shared use path provides a route for walking and biking to and from the target schools and adjacent recreational facilities. Depending on the amount of the grant awarded, design may be provided by City staff, an ODOT consultant contract or through a City consultant contract. Construction is expected to occur in 2011. No right-of-way acquisition is anticipated, although sidewalk easements may be required.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to prepare and execute applications and any consequential project agreements for approved projects. The legislation will also enable the City of Columbus to act as the LPA for the designated SRTS project.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will provide an opportunity to secure federal funds for a pedestrian safety improvement project. From the 2008 SRTS funding cycle, the Ohio Department of Transportation awarded $234,812 to the City of Columbus to construct a sidewalk on Rich Street between Central Avenue and Yale Avenue. Overall, for the 2008 funding cycle ODOT awarded $3.7 million in Safe Routes to School funding to 13 Ohio communities for infrastructure improvement projects. The maximum SRTS amount available for an infrastructure application in 2009 is $500,000. This money will be awarded in the form of a federal grant. The City will apply up to the maximum amount of $500,000, which includes environmental clearance, design, construction and inspection. Any costs of the project not covered by the SRTS program will be borne by the City of Columbus. If deemed essential to the project, those extra costs will be requested with future legislation.
No financial participation or local match by the City is required at this time.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The deadline for submission of the application to ODOT is November 2, 2009. Acceptance of a signed application by ODOT is contingent upon passage of this legislation. Therefore, emergency action is requested in order to submit an active application for the November 2009 funding application deadline.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to prepare and execute an application for federal grant funding to improve portions of Valleyview Drive and Hague Avenue for the Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the Division of Mobility Options; and to declare an emergency. ($-0-)
Body
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has set aside monies for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Projects through the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, Local Public Agencies (LPAs) can apply for these monies and be selected for funding by the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, A School Travel Plan for Valleyview Elementary School and Westmoor Middle School was developed as part of the Hilltop Community Mobility Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation has approved a School Travel Plan in accordance with Safe Routes to Schools guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the project along Hague Avenue and Valleyview Drive is included in the approved Valleyview Elementary School and Westmoor Middle School Travel Plan and is eligible to receive federal funding; and
WHEREAS, the construction of the project contributes to safe mobility options for pedestrians under the guidance of Complete Streets principles; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service plans on submitting an application for the project to fund and construct an at-grade pedestrian crossing with fencing at the railroad crossing on Hague Avenue south of Valleyview Drive, shared use path on the west side of Hague Avenue from Valleyview Drive south to the railroad and a shared use path on the south side of Valleyview Drive from Valleyview Elementary School and Westmoor Middle School to Hague Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation requires that an official be designated on behalf of the LPA to prepare and execute applications for SRTS funds; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to execute an application for federal grant funding for the Safe Routes to Schools program through the Ohio Department of Transportation in order to submit an application by the November 2, 2009 deadline and to maintain an active application for a March 2010 award and to execute project agreement forms for approved projects on behalf of the City of Columbus for the preservation of 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 is hereby authorized to prepare, execute and submit applications for SRTS funds for the above described project to the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation.
Section 2. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to execute project agreements for the approved projects.
Section 3. That if awarded the funds, the City of Columbus agrees to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the construction cost over and above the maximum amount provided by the State of Ohio, Department of Transportation.
Section 4. That upon completion of the described Projects, and unless otherwise agreed, the City of Columbus shall: (1) provide adequate maintenance for the described Projects in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws, including but not limited to, 23 USC 116; (2) provide ample financial provisions, as necessary, for the maintenance of the described Projects; (3) if necessary, maintain the right-of-way within the City of Columbus, keeping it free of obstructions; and (4) if necessary, hold said right-of-way inviolate for public highway purposes.
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 days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.