Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is accepting Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Round 29 applications for the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) and State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). MORPC serves in a staff support capacity to the District Three (Franklin County) Public Works Integrating Committee (PWIC).
OPWC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects. Additionally, OPWC is required to award a minimum of 20% of the SCIP funding as a no interest 20-year loan. In order to make city applications more favorable, some of the applications may include a request for a no interest loan. Therefore, the applications and ensuing agreements may also require a signature from the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications and to execute project agreements for approved projects. The legislation will also authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment.
2. EXPECTED PROJECTS
The Department of Public Service plans to submit applications for the following projects:
James Road - This project will reconstruct James Road from Livingston Avenue to Main Street. The roadway will be widened from 4 lanes to 5 lanes such that a two-way left turn lane or dedicated left turn lanes will be provided for the entire limits. In addition to the pavement work the project will provide sidewalk and curb replacement; bike facilities; ADA accommodations; storm water and water line improvements; and traffic control, street lighting, and public and private utility work as needed.
Joyce Avenue Phase 3 - Full reconstruction to 2-3 lanes with sidewalks, curbs, and bike path. Joyce Avenue from 1,234.56 feet north of 17th Avenue to Kenmore. Install an 8 foot wide shared use path and a 6 foot wide sidewalk. Storm sewer upgrade and detention basin facilities to mitigate the flooding in the area. Waterline work is included in the scope of this project.
Sinclair Road - Construction of sidewalks on both sides of Sinclair Road between Morse Road and Strimple Avenue. Includes the replacement of an existing culvert and the addition of storm sewers to remediate roadway flooding in the area.
Parsons Avenue - This project replaces the existing span wire mounted signals with mast arms, reconfigures traffic lanes and parking to accommodate bicycles (sharrows), and resurfaces Parsons Avenue from Livingston Avenue to Hosack Street.
Third Avenue - Widening/replacement of the existing railroad overpass at Third Avenue, in addition to four 11-foot wide traffic lanes, concrete median, curb and gutter, pedestrian and bikeway facilities. Also includes 350 feet of Rail Street Phase 3.
(This listing is meant to be illustrative and is believed to be accurate and complete; however, last minute project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service.)
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will provide an opportunity to secure funds for various projects. The approximate available funding to the District Three Public Works Integrating Committee is $23,000,000.00, and it is to be awarded in the form of grants and loans. As a part of the application for grant funds, the city may apply for a maximum of $3,000,000.00 in loans as necessary to make the applications more favorable to OPWC and the city.
Based on population, the City of Columbus' share can be 40%, more or less, of the total amount available. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts and/or construction contracts that will be or have been submitted for Council's approval.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications for Round 29 of the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program and to execute project agreement forms for approved projects for the Department of Public Service on behalf of the City of Columbus; to authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Public Works Commission requires that the City of Columbus designate and authorize officials to submit Round 29 applications, execute project agreements, sign for funding use certification and local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment for Local Transportation Improvement and State Capital Improvement Programs; and
WHEREAS, application amounts are approximate depending upon OPWC scoring criteria; and
WHEREAS, approved applications will require execution within 45 days of notification by the Ohio Public Works Commission;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to submit these applications on the schedule required by MORPC, 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 is hereby authorized to submit applications and execute project agreements with the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service for the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program projects.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service and Director of Finance and Management are hereby authorized to submit loan documents and borrow money from the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service for projects as awarded under the State Capital Improvement Program.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, are authorized to sign any consequential promissory notes for a grand total of no more than $3,000,000.00 to certify Round 29 OPWC funding for the city's SCIP loan portion of any project that is awarded a 20-year no interest loan.
SECTION 4. 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.