Explanation
Background: Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton, Inc.'s (EMH&T) new office facility on New Albany Road added 414 jobs to the over 1,200 jobs already existing in this corridor. Another major development is currently under construction. The significant increase in traffic and congestion could be partially controlled by the installation of a new traffic signal at Walton Parkway. The total cost of this project is $270,000 of which the State has granted 80%, or $216,000. The City will finance the balance of project costs ($54,000 plus design costs).
Fiscal Impact: $216,000 will be deposited into the General Government Grant Fund, $54,000 is available in the 2006 Capital Improvements Budget and will be generated in the November 30 Bond Sale.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is necessary because funds must be available for reimbursement in January 2007.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Development to accept a Roadwork Development Account grant of $216,000; to authorize the appropriation of $216,000 from the General Government Grant Fund to the Department of Development; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Price agreement with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton and Tilton, Inc. pursuant to Section 186 of the Columbus City Charter to complete the installation of a new traffic signal on New Albany Road at Walton Parkway; to authorize the expenditure of $216,000 from the General Government Grant Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $54,000 from the Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund; to waive the provisions of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($270,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, new developments along New Albany Road are increasing traffic and congestion; and
WHEREAS, the installation of a new traffic signal on New Albany Road at Walton Parkway will help to reduce traffic congestion; and
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio has granted funds to pay for 80% of project costs, or $216,000, to install a new traffic signal; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Development Department will pay the remaining 20%, or $54,000, of project costs; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Columbus Development Department must be authorized to accept the Roadwork Development (629) Account grant, to appropriate the grant funds and to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Price Reimbursement Agreement with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton and Tilton, Inc. to complete the project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to accept, appropriate and expend said funds so that funds are available for reimbursement in January 2007, 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 Development is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement to accept a $216,000 Roadwork Development (629) Account grant from the State of Ohio Department of Development for the purpose of installing a new traffic signal at New Albany Road East and Walton Parkway.
Section 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006, the sum of $216,000 is hereby appropriated to the Department of Development, Division No. 44-02, Fund 220, Grant No. 446021, Object Level One 06, Object Level Three 6680, OCA Code 446021.
Section 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon order of the Development Director; and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
Section 4. That, pursuant to Section 186 of the Columbus City Charter, the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Price Reimbursement Agreement for $270,000 with Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton and Tilton, Inc. to complete the installation of a new traffic signal on New Albany Road at Walton Parkway.
Section 5. That for the purpose as stated in Section 4, the expenditure of $216,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Department of Development, Division 44-02, General Government Grant Fund, Fund No. 220, Grant No. 446021, Object Level One 06, Object Level Three 6680, OCA 446021.
Section 6. That for the purpose as stated in Section 4, the expenditure of $54,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Department of Development, Division 44-01, Northland and Other Acquisitions Fund, Fund No. 735, Project No. 440104 Miscellaneous Economic Development - New Albany Road, Object Level Three 6680, OCA 735020.
Section 7. That the provisions of Chapter 329 of Columbus City Codes be and hereby are waived.
Section 8. 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.