Explanation
Background: The mayoral New Neighborhood Initiative culminated in a 6-month effort by Parsons Avenue area stakeholders to create the Greater Parsons Avenue Area Vision Plan. Ordinance No. 0717-2006, passed April 3, 2006, Ordinance No.1410-2006, passed July 31, 2006 and Ordinance No. 0700-2007, passed May 14, 2007 authorized the Director of Development to enter into contracts for purchase of certain real properties within the Greater Parsons Avenue Area Vision Plan and authorized the expenditure of $2,700,000. Gaining control of certain real properties is a key component to the success of the Vision Plan allowing the coordination of specific land uses. Several structures on these properties are vacant and possess no contributing value to the Vision Plan. This legislation authorizes $325,000 for the removal of asbestos, the demolition of these structures and the capping of their utilities. Pre-development work, conducting utility location surveys, topographic surveys and land use planning, are underway using funds authorized by Ordinance No. 1173-2007, passed July 23, 2007.
Fiscal Impact: $325,000 is available in the 2007 Capital Improvement Budget.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to complete the work within the timeframe for which the cost estimates were given.
Title
To amend the 2007 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the transfer of cash between projects within the same fund; to authorize the Director of Development to enter into a contract with Columbus Urban Growth Corporation for up to $325,000 to demolish several properties in the Parsons Vision Plan area; to authorize the expenditure of $325,000 from the Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund; to waive the provisions of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Code; and to declare an emergency. ($325,000)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Urban Growth Corporation has successfully gained control of most key properties in the Parsons Vision Plan area; and
WHEREAS, several of the structures are vacant and do not contribute to the goals of the Parsons Vision Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Development agrees that these abandoned properties must be demolished to advance the goals of the Vision Plan; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes $325,000 for the removal of asbestos, the demolition of these structures and the capping of their utilities; and
WHEREAS, emergency action is requested in order to complete the work within the timeframe for which the cost estimates were given; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with the Columbus Urban Growth Corporation, all for the immediate 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 2007 Capital Improvements Budget is hereby amended as follows:
CURRENT CIB:
Dept/Div: 59-09|Fund: 735|Project Number 590415|Project Name - Economic & Community Development|Unvoted Carryover/Amount $500,000
Dept/Div: 44-01|Fund: 735|Project Number 441743|Project Name - Parsons Ave. Acquisitions|Amount $300,900
REVISED CIB:
Dept/Div: 59-09|Fund 735|Project Number 590415|Project Name - Economic & Community Development/Unvoted Carryover/Amount $175,000
Dept/Div: 44-01|Fund 735|Project Number 441743|Project Name - Parsons Ave. Acquisitions|Amount $625,900
Section 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer funds within the Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund No. 735 as follows:
FROM:
Dept/Div: 59-09|Project Number 590415|Project Name - Economic & Community Development|Amount $325,000
TO:
Dept/Div: 44-01|Project Number 441743|Project Name - Parsons Ave. Acquisitions|Amount $325,000
Section 3. That the Director of Development be authorized to enter into a contract with Columbus Urban Growth Corporation for $325,000 to demolish vacant and non-contributing structures in the Parsons Vision Plan area.
Section 4. That for the purpose stated in Section 3, the expenditure of up to $325,000 or so much thereof that may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized and approved as follows: Development Department, Division No. 44-01, Fund No. 735 Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund, Project No. 441743 Parsons Ave. Acquisitions, OCA Code 441743, Object Level Three 6680.
Section 5. 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 6. That the formal consultant selection process provisions of Chapter 329 of the City Code be and hereby are waived.
Section 7. That for 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.