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) in support of the FRA-270-32.92 project (PID 113663), commonly referred to as the Resurfacing - Easton Way (ODOT Project Coordination) project.
The project includes resurfacing a segment of Easton Way beginning at Stelzer Road and continuing toward I-270, as well as extending turn-lane queue storage and installing new traffic signals at the intersections of Easton Way with the I-270 ramps and Stelzer Road. These improvements will be accomplished through modifications to the existing raised median.
Ordinance 2157-2025 previously authorized the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with ODOT for this project. The purpose of this ordinance is to allow the Department of Public Service to fulfill its administrative and financial responsibilities by authorizing: (1) the execution of a contribution agreement or other necessary instruments, including any amendments or modifications, between the Department of Public Service, acting through its Director, and ODOT; and (2) the encumbrance and expenditure of up to $107,680.00 to support completion of the project.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in an amount not to exceed $107,680.00 is available and appropriated within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, in the Department of Public Service to support the City’s local share of the estimated construction costs. The final cost to the City may vary depending on the results of the competitive bidding process administered by ODOT. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is required to provide sufficient budget authority for this expenditure.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to authorize the Department of Public Service to execute and return the required contribution agreement, together with the associated payment to ODOT, by March 13, 2026. This action is necessary to maintain the project schedule established by ODOT and to promote public and highway safety.
Title
To amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and to provide funding to the Ohio Department of Transportation in support of improvements to Easton Way; to authorize the expenditure of up to $107,680.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($107,680.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is administering the FRA-270-32.92 project, PID 113663, also known as Resurfacing - Easton Way (ODOT Project Coordination), which encompasses various improvements to Easton Way in the vicinity of Steltzer Road and I-270; and
WHEREAS, the project is located within the corporate boundaries of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2157-2025 authorized the Director of the Department of Public Service to grant consent and to agree to cooperate with ODOT relative to the project; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and to make payment in the amount of $107,680.00 to ODOT relative to the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget for the purpose of providing sufficient budget authority for the project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the passage of this legislation to allow the Department to execute and return the required contribution agreement, together with the associated payment to ODOT, by March 13, 2026. This action is required to maintain the project schedule established by ODOT and to promote highway safety, thereby ensuring the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety.; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /C.I.B. as Amended
P530282-100051 / Resurfacing - Resurfacing Projects (Voted Carryover) / $10,739,987.00 / ($107,680.00) / $10,632,307.00
P530282-100173 / Resurfacing - Easton Way (ODOT Project Coordination) (Voted Carryover) / $0.00 / $107,680.00 / $107,680.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to enter into a contribution agreement, and any amendments or modifications thereto as may be necessary, with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and to make payment to ODOT relative to the FRA-270-32.92 project, PID 113663, also known as Resurfacing - Easton Way (ODOT Project Coordination).
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $107,680.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5911 (Division of Infrastructure Management), Project P530282-100173 (Resurfacing - Easton Way (ODOT Project Coordination)), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 7. 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.