Explanation
The Public Service Department, Transportation Division, installed a traffic signal at the intersection of Sunbury and Stelzer Roads in late 2003. As part of this signal installation, the City must install Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant ramps and sidewalks at this intersection. The Transportation Division has requested the assistance of the Department of Law, Real Estate Division, in obtaining a sidewalk easement for the installation of the necessary sidewalks on the northeast corner of this intersection. The following legislation authorizes the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to hire professional services relative to the acquisition of the necessary easement, to negotiate with the property owner, AERC Bradford, Inc., to obtain the necessary easement and to expend the funds necessary to acquire this easement. The Department of Law, Real Estate Division, has estimated that acquisition related expenses will total $6,000.00.
Fiscal Impact: The Transportation Division budgeted $1,259,774 for Traffic Signal Installation in the 2004 Capital Improvements Budget. A portion of these funds will be used to pay for these easement costs.
Emergency action is requested to allow the Real Estate Division to proceed with those actions that will enable the City to acquire the necessary easement and proceed with the installation of ADA-compliant ramps and sidewalks at the intersection of Sunbury and Stelzer Roads without further delay.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to contract for professional services relative to the acquisition of a permanent sidewalk easement at the northeast corner of Sunbury and Stelzer Roads; to negotiate with the property owner for the necessary easement; to expend $6,000.00 from the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund for acquisition-related costs, and to declare an emergency. ($6,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, installed a traffic signal at the intersection of Sunbury and Stelzer Roads in late 2003; and
WHEREAS, as a part of this signal installation the City must install Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant ramps and sidewalks at this intersection; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation Division has requested the assistance of the Department of Law, Real Estate Division, in obtaining a sidewalk easement for the installation of the necessary sidewalks on the northeast corner of this intersection; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Law, Real Estate Division, has estimated that acquisition-related expenses will total $6,000.00; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to hire professional services relative to the acquisition of the easement, to negotiate with the property owners, and expend the funds necessary to obtain this easement; and
WHEREAS, funds to pay for these acquisition-related costs are budgeted and available in the signal installation project within the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund with the summer bond sale; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Transportation Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Attorney to expend the funds necessary to pay the costs associated with the acquisition of a permanent sidewalk easement so that ADA-compliant ramps and sidewalks can be installed at this intersection for the immediate 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 City Attorney be and hereby is authorized to hire professional services relative to the acquisition of a permanent sidewalk easement at the northeast corner of Sunbury and Stelzer Roads; to negotiate with the property owners to obtain the necessary easement and to expend those funds necessary to pay these expenses.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose of paying for said costs the City Attorney's Office is hereby authorized to expend $6,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary from Fund 704, the 1995, 1999 Voted Streets and Highways Fund, Department No. 59-09, Object Level One Code 06, Object Level Three Code 6601, OCA Code 644385 and Project 540007.
SECTION 3. 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.