Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and provide funding to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the FRA-70/71-12.68/14.86 (Project 4R) project, PID 105523, which is the reconstruction of I70/71 in Downtown Columbus.
Lying within the City of Columbus, the aforementioned project encompasses: construction of Interstate 70 eastbound and Ramp C5 between 750' west of Souder Avenue and Front Street, including the widening and realignment of Interstate 71 northbound; construction of nine bridges within the interchanges and crossings over and under the freeway system; construction of retaining walls; rehabilitation of the trunk line storm sewers with drainage improvements; replacement of the freeway lighting systems; resurfacing and reconstruction of city streets; and intersection and traffic control upgrades. Construction of the project is slated to commence in spring 2020 and to conclude in summer 2023.
Ordinance 2593-2019 authorized the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with ODOT for the aforesaid project and noted that the encumbrance and expenditure of requisite funding would be authorized separately. To that end, Ordinance 2066-2019 authorized the appropriation of capital funds necessary to support the local share of construction and inspection costs, presently estimated to be $2,218,258.00.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Auditor’s Certificate ACPO004553 has been established, pursuant to Ordinance 2066-2019, to facilitate payment to ODOT for the proportionate share of anticipated project costs attributable to the Department of Public Service.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to meet ODOT's schedule for construction to begin.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the reconstruction of I70/71 in Downtown Columbus; to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,218,258.00 for this project from an existing Auditor's Certificate; and to declare an emergency. ($2,218,258.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation proposes to construct the FRA-70/71-12.68/14.86 (Project 4R) project, PID 105523, which encompasses various improvements to portions of I-70/71 eastbound/northbound within the Columbus corporate boundaries; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2593-2019 authorized the Director of Public Service to grant consent and to agree to cooperate with the Ohio Department of Transportation in this effort; and
WHEREAS, the City agrees to assume and bear one hundred percent (100%) of the entire cost of the improvement within Columbus city limits less the amount of Federal-Aid funds set aside by the Director of Transportation for the financing of this improvement from funds allocated by the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2066-2019 authorized the encumbrance and expenditure of capital funding to support the local share of construction and inspection costs, presently estimated to be $2,218,258.00; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and to make payment to ODOT relative to the aforementioned project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the reconstruction of I70/71 in Downtown Columbus so as to meet ODOT's schedule for construction to begin, 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 Public Service be and hereby is authorized to enter into agreements with, and to make payment to, the Ohio Department of Transportation relative to the FRA-70/71-12.68/14.86 (Project 4R) project, PID 105523.
SECTION 2. That the Department of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to contribute up to $2,218,258.00 to the Ohio Department of Transportation to support the aforementioned project pursuant to Auditor’s Certificate ACPO004553.
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.