Explanation
The City of Columbus, in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT); NP Limited Partnership, an Ohio Limited Partnership; and Polaris Ventures IV, Limited, is currently undertaking a roadway improvement project to reconstruct the interchange of Interstate 71 and Polaris Parkway and construct a new interchange at Interstate 71 and Fashion Mall Parkway. These improvements are necessitated by the tremendous increase in vehicular traffic generated by the adjacent amphitheater, retail, and commercial developments.
ODOT is the lead agency for this project and is responsible for bidding and administering construction contracts. The City's original cost of these interchange improvements was $27,600,000.00. ODOT is responsible for right-of-way and environmental clearances, utility relocation and permit procurement. NP Limited Partnership provided free and clear title to approximately 23 acres of real estate needed for the improvement without compensation. An agreement with ODOT to this end was authorized by Ordinance 0734-2004 passed by City Council April 19, 2004. The City funded its share fo the project cost through a tax incremental financing (TIF) package financed from taxes generated/to be generated within the specifically-designated TIF district.
This ordinance authorizes the Public Service Director to modify and increase this agreement by $500,000.00 to provide for the emergency paving of Polaris Parkway immediately adjacent to the previously established work area, including extra paving and the installation of deep under drains. The limits of this modification are Polaris Parkway between Lyra Drive and Interstate 71 on the west and between Interstate 71 and Old Worthington Road on the east. ODOT will execute a contract modification for this purpose with Kokosing Construction Company, its contractor.
This ordinance also authorizes the Public Service Director to expend $1,529.50 for second half 2004 property taxes incurred on two City-owned parcels within the improvement due the Delaware County Treasurer. The City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, routinely applies for and is granted property tax exemptions for parcels utilized for roadway improvement purposes but these exemptions are not effective until after the applications have been made and approved. Since property taxes are billed in arrears, the City often incurs this liability before the Real Estate Division has an opportunity to make application for the exemption.
Fiscal Impact: The Transportation Division budgeted $542,000.00 in the 2005 Capital Improvements Budget under Arterial Street Rehabilitation project for emergency pavement repairs on portions of Polaris Parkway. Actual funds will be available within the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways fund as a result of the Fall 2005 bond sale. This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $501,529.50.
Emergency action is requested to allow this emergency work to proceed as soon as possible to enhance motorist safety and minimize their inconvenience.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to modify and increase the existing agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation; NP Limited Partnership, an Ohio Limited Partnership; and Polaris Ventures IV, Limited, to provide for emergency paving on portions of Polaris Parkway adjacent to the Interstate 71/Polaris Parkway Interchange; to authorize the Public Service Director to pay second half 2004 property tax billings for two project-related real estate parcels; to authorize the expenditure of $501,529.50 or so much thereof as may be necessary for this purpose from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund for the Transportation Division; and to declare an emergency. ($501,529.50)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT); NP Limited Partnership, an Ohio Limited Partnership; and Polaris Ventures IV, Limited, is undertaking a roadway improvement project to reconstruct the interchange of Interstate 71 and Polaris Parkway and construct a new interchange at Interstate 71 and Fashion Mall Parkway; and
WHEREAS, an agreement with ODOT to this end was authorized by Ordinance 0734-2004 passed by City Council April 19, 2004; and
WHEREAS, ODOT is the lead agency for this project, bid its construction and awarded and is administering the construction contracts; and
WHEREAS, a contract modification is needed to provide for emergency paving on portions of Polaris Parkway adjacent to the Interstate 71/Polaris Parkway Interchange; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to pay property tax billings incurred for two properties within the improvement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Transportation Division, Public Service Department, in that it is immediately necessary that the Public Service Director be authorized to modify and increase this agreement in order to allow this emergency work to proceed as soon as possible to enhance motorist safety and minimize their inconvenience, 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 Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to modify and increase an existing agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation; NP Limited Partnership, an Ohio Limited Partnership; and Polaris Ventures IV, Limited, by $500,000.00 to provide for emergency paving on portions of Polaris Parkway adjacent to the Interstate 71/Polaris Parkway Interchange for the Transportation Division.
SECTION 2. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to pay second half 2004 property tax billings for two Orion Place properties, parcel numbers 318-442-02-052-001 ($1,473.37) and 318-442-02-053-000 ($56.13) that are germane to this roadway improvement project to Dale M. Wilgus, Delaware County (Ohio) Treasurer, 140 North Sandusky Street, Delaware, Ohio 43015.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose of paying the cost of the contract modification and real estate taxes the sum of $501,529.50 or so much thereof as may be necessary be and hereby is authorized to be expended from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, Fund 704, Department No. 59-09, Transportation Division, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6631, OCA Code 644385 and Project 530103.
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.