Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The City of Columbus is engaged in that project identified as the North High Street - Flint Road to the Delaware County Line Improvement. The purpose of this project is to widen High Street by one lane in each direction, add an 8-foot shared use path on the east side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the west side, install curb ramps and update the traffic signals. COTA currently does not service this corridor, but this roadway segment has been identified as a possible future expansion route.
Initial funding in the amount of $265,000.00, for acquisition related activities, was authorized pursuant to Ordinance 426-98, passed February 23, 1998. In 2006 additional right-of-way needs were identified. Additional funding for these rights-of-way, in the amount of $50,000.00, was provided pursuant to Ordinance 0687-2006, passed April 24, 2006. The City Attorney's Real Estate Division recently notified the Division of Transportation that, after review, the appraised values of those rights-of-way still to be acquired total approximately $122,150.00 and that additional funding will be needed to complete acquisition of these parcels. The following legislation establishes additional funding in the amount of $65,000.00; authorizes the City Attorney's Real Estate Division to complete acquisition related activities and authorizes the expenditure of this additional $65,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for acquisition related activities.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Additional acquisition related expenses are currently estimated to be $65,000.00 for this project. Monies to pay for these costs are available due to cancellation of encumbrances from completed projects.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation must be completed before construction of this improvement project can begin. The City Attorney's Real Estate Division has notified the Department of Public Service that, pending authorization of additional acquisition funding, they anticipate completing right-of-way acquisition early in 2009. Following the completion of right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation can be finalized and construction of this project can be scheduled.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney's Real Estate Division to complete acquisition of the remaining rights-of-way required for the North High Street - Flint Road to the Delaware County Line Improvement Project; to authorize the expenditure of an additional $65,000.00 from the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund for such acquisition related activities; and to declare an emergency. ($65,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is engaged in that project identified as the North High Street - Flint Road to the Delaware County Line Improvement Project; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this project is to widen High Street by one lane in each direction, add sidewalks, curb ramps and update the traffic signals; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney's Real Estate Division recently notified the Division of Transportation that, after review, the appraised values of those rights-of-way still to be acquired total approximately $122,150.00 and that additional funding will be required to complete acquisition of these parcels; and
WHEREAS, at this time it is necessary to increase the funding to allow acquisition related activities to be completed; and
WHEREAS, the following legislation establishes additional funding in the amount of $65,000.00 and authorizes the City Attorney's Real Estate Division to expend these funds or so much thereof as may be necessary for the acquisition of the remaining rights-of-way needed for this project; and
WHEREAS, funds are available in the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund to pay for said acquisition related costs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, Division of Transportation, in that it is immediately necessary to establish additional funding and to authorize the City Attorney's Real Estate Division to expend such funds for acquisition of the remaining rights-of-way needed for the North High Street - Flint Road to the Delaware County Line Improvement Project so that utility relocation can be finalized and construction of this project can be scheduled 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 City Attorney's Real Estate Division be and is hereby authorized to expend those funds necessary to complete acquisition of the rights-of-way needed for the North High Street - Flint Road to the Delaware County Line Improvement Project.
Section 2. That for the purpose of paying for said costs the City Attorney's Real Estate Division is hereby authorized to expend an additional $65,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund as follows: Project 530103; Department/Division 59-09; O.L. 01-03 Codes, 06/6601; OCA Code 644385; Amount $65,000.00.
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 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.