Explanation
Resolution 280X-1999 was adopted by City Council on January 10, 2000. This resolution authorized the Public Service Director to cause the preparation of plans and specifications for the improvement of North High Street from Arcadia Avenue to Torrence Road subsequent to the City having received a valid petition requesting the improvement of North High Street from Arcadia Avenue to Torrence Road that represented the required 60 percent of the abutting property owners. This special assessment improvement is to include new concrete curb, concrete walk, trees, minor brickwork, and some street furniture.
The resolution as adopted provided that the property owners abutting the improved North High Street were to be assessed one (1) dollar for every two (2) dollars that the City would pay with the liability of the City not to exceed $1,872,746.14 based upon the actual construction cost per foot; such assessment to begin at the completion of construction of said improvements. The property owners' portion of the total expense was open-ended, limited only by the total construction cost of the improvements. The total construction cost of the project was originally estimated to be $2,809,119.21.
Since 1999 the cost of the project has escalated through no fault of the property owners due to inflation as well as delays and changes in the design of the project such as: 1.) the cost and complexity of the City's signal interconnect system was not anticipated in 1999, but has since been incorporated into the project, 2.) revisions and redesign to some intersections to keep sharp turning radii, rather than flatten them, at the request of the neighborhood, 3.) and the application of updated Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk ramp designs.
Therefore, it has been determined that an adjustment in the funding arrangements between the City and the property owners is fair and appropriate. Accordingly, this resolution serves to transfer the less-defined cost liability from the property owners to the City. The revised arrangements provide that the property owners abutting the improved North High Street will continue to be assessed with their liability not to exceed $936,373.07; however, the city will assume the difference between this number and the final construction cost of $3,417,165.77. Other costs such as design and right of way were always to be a city expense only.
Property owners will be assessed based on the linear footage of their property along North High Street. The assessment will begin when the construction of the improvements is completed.
The total cost of the project is now estimated to be $4,945,584.84 which includes right-of-way acquisition for $250,000, inspection cost of $505,814, design fee of $342,046, and construction costs of $3,847,724.84.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to cause the preparation of plans and specifications for the improvement of North High Street from Arcadia Avenue to Torrence Road, and to repeal Resolution 208X-1999 and to declare an emergency. ($-0-)
Body
WHEREAS, the City has received a valid petition requesting the improvement of North High Street from Arcadia Avenue to Torrence Road; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 280X-1999 was adopted by City Council on January 10, 2000; and
WHEREAS, due to delays and changes in the design of the project, including the application of updated Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk ramp designs, the cost of the project has escalated through no fault of the property owners and it has been determined that an adjustment in the funding arrangements between the City and the property owners is fair and appropriate; and
WHEREAS, these revised funding arrangements should be memorialized with new legislation endorsed by City Council; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 208X-1999 should be repealed in its entirety; and
WHEREAS, the property owners abutting the improved North High Street will pay their share of the cost of the improvement through a special assessment as shown upon the County Real Estate tax bill commencing at the time of completion of the project with the total property owners' liability not to exceed nine hundred thirty six thousand three hundred seventy three dollars and seven cents ($936,373.07); and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to pass this ordinance as an emergency measure because it coincides with Ordinance 1092-2004 for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to cause the preparation of plans, profiles, specifications and estimates of cost for the improvement of North High Street from Arcadia Avenue to Torrence Road by constructing sidewalks, curbs and by making such other improvements as may be necessary.
SECTION 2. That the property owners abutting the improved North High Street shall be assessed one (1) dollar for every two (2) dollars that the City pays with the property owners' liability not to exceed nine hundred thirty six thousand three hundred seventy-three dollars and seven cents ($936,373.07) based upon the actual cost per foot; such assessment to begin at the completion of said improvements.
SECTION 3. That Resolution 208X-1999, adopted by City Council on January 10, 2000, be and hereby is repealed in its entirety.
SECTION 4. That this resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.