Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to prepare and execute applications and any consequential project agreements for approved projects for the Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program. The legislation will also enable the City of Columbus to act as the Local Public Agency (LPA) for the designated SRTS project.
Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) is a Federal program which provides limited funds to states. 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.
This ordinance is intended to authorize the Director of Public Service to apply for SRTS funds and to construct improvements around Hilltop area schools including sidewalks and traffic calming measures. Sidewalks reduce pedestrian exposure to traffic, and traffic calming measures reduce vehicle speeds which decrease the severity of pedestrian and vehicle crashes. In order to be eligible for SRTS funds, the projects must be contained in a School Travel Plan approved by ODOT. A School Travel Plan for Binns-Hilltonia area schools, which includes Binns Elementary, Hilltonia Middle, Lindbergh Elementary, Burroughs Elementary and West Mound Elementary was approved by ODOT in January 2012. The School Travel Plan was developed as part of a General Engineering contract task order in 2011.
Ordinance 0306-2012 authorized the Department of Public Service to apply for SRTS funds in a previous funding cycle for this project. The application was made and this project was subsequently awarded $358,000.00 in SRTS funding. With City Council authorization, the Department of Public Service intends to apply for another SRTS grant in the 2014 SRTS funding cycle to cover approximately 20% of the cost of construction and construction inspection of sidewalk on West Mound Street from Binns Boulevard to Wayne Avenue, as well as a road diet throughout the project limits. The preliminary engineering and final engineering is being performed by Woolpert Consultants through a City consultant contract. Construction is expected to occur in 2016. Right-of-way acquisition is anticipated and is being programmed using pedestrian safety funds.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
The maximum SRTS amount available for an infrastructure application 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 construction and construction 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. Pedestrian Safety funds have been identified for the balance of the project.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The deadline for submission of the application to ODOT was March 3, 2014, and the City has submitted a draft application to ODOT. Acceptance of a signed final application by ODOT is contingent upon passage of this legislation as soon as possible. Therefore, emergency action is requested in order to maintain an active application for a May 2014 award.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to prepare and execute an application and agreements for Federal grant funding to improve pedestrian safety of West Mound Street near Binns Elementary School, Burroughs Elementary School, Hilltonia Middle School, Lindbergh Elementary School and West Mound Street Elementary School, for the Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT); to execute necessary project agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for SRTS grants approved by ODOT; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
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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 Binns Elementary, Hilltonia Middle, Lindbergh Elementary, Burroughs Elementary and West Mound Elementary was developed as part of a 2011 Department of Public Service general engineering task order; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation has approved the Binns-Hilltonia School Travel Plan in accordance with Safe Routes to Schools guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the project along West Mound Street is included in the approved Binns-Hilltonia School Travel Plan and is eligible to receive Federal funding; and
WHEREAS, the Binns-Hilltonia 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 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 build sidewalks on both sides of West Mound Street and road diet within the limits of Binns Boulevard and Wayne 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 is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service 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 May 2014 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.