Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) is a federal program, which provides limited funds to states including Ohio. These funds are avilable to munipalities as grants to be used to improve the ability of elementary and middle school students to walk and bicycle to school safely.
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 construct sidewalk at specific locations in Franklinton. In order to be eligible for these funds, the requested sidewalk project must be covered by a School Travel Plan approved by ODOT. A School Travel Plan for Avondale Elementary, Dana Elementary and Sullivant Elementary schools was developed, and approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in 2008, as part of the Franklinton Community Mobility Plan (FCMP).
The proposed sidewalk project that these funds will be used to construct is along the south side of Rich Street from Central Avenue to Yale Avenue. Design will be accomplished via a general engineering services design contract. If the grant is awarded to the City, construction is expected to occur in 2009. No right-of-way acquisition or utility relocation is anticipated.
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 sidewalk construction project. For the last funding cycle the Ohio Department of Transportation awarded over $4 million in funding to 107 Ohio communities interested in creating and encouraging a Safe Route to School in their communities. Applications came from municipalities, school districts, hospitals and health departments around the state. A similar amount of funds are available for this funding cycle. The maximum SRTS funds available for an infrastructure application is $250,000. This money will be awarded in the form of a federal grant. The City will apply for $234,812, the estimated cost of the project, which includes environmental clearance, design, construction and inspection. Although not expected, any costs of the project not covered by the SRTS program will be borne by the City of Columbus boundaries. If deemed essential to the project, those extra costs will be requested at the time of legislation awarding the construction cost.
No financial participation or local match by the City is required at this time.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The deadline for submission of the application to ODOT was November 3, 2008. ODOT agreed to allow the City to submit an unsigned application contingent upon passage of this legislation. Therefore, emergency action is requested in order to maintain an active application for a March 2009 award.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to prepare and execute an application for federal grant funding for the Safe Routes to Schools program through the Ohio Department of Transportation; to execute project agreement forms for approved projects on behalf of the City of Columbus and to declare an emergency. ($-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 Avondale Elementary, Dana Elementary and Sullivant Elementary schools was developed as part of the Franklinton 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 sidewalk infrastructure project along Rich Street from Central Avenue to Yale Avenue is included in the approved Franklinton Area School Travel Plan and is eligible to receive federal funding; and
WHEREAS, the School Travel Plan incorporated the preferred student walking route as developed cooperatively by the City and Public Schools, entitled Walk Smart routes; and
WHEREAS, the construction of the sidewalk 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 construction of approximately 0.25 miles of sidewalk on the south side of Rich Street from Central Avenue to Yale 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 operation 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 maintain an active application for a March 2009 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.