Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and provide funding to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) relative to the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project, also known as FRA-70-21.33, PID 109014.
Administered by ODOT, the aforementioned project, which currently is in development, encompasses safety upgrades at the interchange of I-70 and Hamilton Road. Planned improvements include: 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 recently agreed, at the behest of the Department of Public Service, to install additional interconnect conduits within the project limits, necessitating design revisions that will be incorporated into the Stage 3 plans for the project. The cost of the additional design and engineering services is presently estimated to be $34,000.00.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $34,000.00 is available within the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund within the Department of Public Service to support the local share of estimated design costs.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to facilitate the execution of requisite agreements with ODOT as soon as reasonably practicable in order to maintain 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 $34,000.00 from the Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($34,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is administering the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project, also known as FRA-70-21.33, PID 109014; and
WHEREAS, Stage 3 plans have been developed for the aforementioned project, which is located within the Columbus corporate boundaries and will encompass various safety upgrades at the interchange of I-70 and Hamilton Road; and
WHEREAS, ODOT recently agreed, at the behest of the Department of Public Service, to install additional interconnect conduits as part of that project, necessitating design revisions that will be incorporated in the Stage 3 plans; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service agrees to assume and bear one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of those revisions, presently estimated to be $34,000.00; and
WHEREAS, this legislation 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 the Director to enter into agreements with ODOT as soon as reasonably practicable in order to maintain the 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 the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project, also known as FRA-70-21.33, PID 109014.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $34,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2265 (Street Construction Maintenance and Repair 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.