Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, is engaged in the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Hague/Valleyview Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) project. The project limits are Valleyview Drive from Westmoor Avenue to Hague Avenue and Hague Avenue from Valleyview Drive to Carol Avenue.
The project was initiated by a public/private group called Lifesavers, which is affiliated with the Ohio Department of Transportation. ODOT agreed to provide funds through its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. The project's intention is to provide a safe route for pedestrians throughout the project limits.
Improvements include: construction of a shared use path on the south side of Valleyview Drive from Westmoor Avenue to Hague Avenue, and on the west side of Hague Avenue from Valleyview Drive to Carol Avenue; storm sewer and culvert replacement; utility relocation; railroad crossing with gates and signals; and ADA accommodations.
During the planning process, the Franklin County Engineer's Office agreed to replace an existing culvert within the project limits on Hague Avenue and the City and Franklin County Engineer's Office agreed to cooperate in the construction of the project. The Franklin County Engineer's Office applied for and received an OPWC grant for this project and the City will share in this grant and receive proceeds from the grant through the Franklin County Engineer's Office. This ordinance authorizes The City of Columbus Director of Public Service to enter into necessary agreements with the Franklin County Engineer's Office for construction, right of way acquisition, and other agreements as necessary, to complete the project and to authorize the Director of Public Service to receive OPWC funding through the Franklin County Engineer's Office for the project.
This ordinance also authorizes additional funding for right of way acquisition. Initial acquisition funding for this project, in the amount of $100,000.00, was authorized pursuant to Ordinance No. 0926-2012, passed June 18, 2012. This legislation authorized the City Attorney to contract for professional services and to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to real property necessary for the project, with the understanding additional funding for Right of Way would be legislated when the OPWC grant held by Franklin County, was executed. The City and Franklin County are partnering in this project and utilizing the grant jointly. The grant has been executed and it is now necessary that the City Attorney's Office be authorized to expend an additional $27,500.00 in order to pay for costs relative to the acquisition of right-of-way necessary for the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Hague/Valleyview Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) project.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into right of way, construction, and other agreements as necessary with the Franklin County Engineer's Office; to receive OPWC funding through the Franklin County Engineer's Office; and expend $27,500.00 from the Local Transportation Improvement Fund for the project.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The pedestrian safety improvements contemplated by this project will be positive improvements to the safety of those individuals living and travelling within this area. Emergency action is requested to allow this project to remain on schedule.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into right of way, construction, and other agreements, with the Franklin County Engineer's Office, to authorize the Director of Public Service to receive OPWC funding through the Franklin County Engineer's Office as necessary to complete the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Hague/Valleyview Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) project; to authorize the City Attorney's Office - Real Estate Division to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests and contract for professional services; to appropriate and authorize the expenditure of $27,500.00 from the Local Transportation Improvement Fund for additional right-of-way acquisition costs; and to declare an emergency. ($27,500.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service, Division of Design and Construction is engaged in the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Hague/Valleyview Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) project; and
WHEREAS, project limits extend on Valleyview Drive from Westmoor Avenue to Hague Avenue and Hague Avenue from Valleyview Drive to Carol Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the project was initiated by a public/private group called Lifesavers, which is affiliated with the Ohio Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, project improvements include construction of a shared use path on the south side of Valleyview Drive from Westmoor Avenue to Hague Avenue, and on the west side of Hague Avenue from Valleyview Drive to Carol Avenue; storm sewer and culvert replacement; utility relocation; railroad crossing with gates and signals; and ADA accommodations; and
WHEREAS, during the planning process the Franklin County Engineer's Office agreed to replace an existing culvert within the project limits on Hague Avenue, and the City and Franklin County Engineer's Office agreed to cooperate in the construction of the project; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Engineer's Office applied for and received an OPWC grant for this project and the City will share in this grant and receive proceeds from the grant through the Franklin County Engineer's Office; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into agreements with the Franklin County Engineer's Office for the completion of the project; and
WHEREAS, initial right of way acquisition funding for this project, in the amount of $27,500.00, was authorized pursuant to Ordinance No. 0926-2012, passed June 18, 2012; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorized the City Attorney to contract for professional services and to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to real property necessary to the project, with the understanding that more funding may be required in the future; and
WHEREAS, it is now necessary that the City Attorney's Office be authorized to expend an additional $27,500.00, in order to pay for costs relative to the acquire those rights-of-way needed for the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Hague/Valleyview Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the City of Columbus, Director of Public Service to enter into necessary agreements with the Franklin County Engineer's Office for construction, right of way acquisition, and others as necessary for the completion of the project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance also authorizes the City Attorney's Office to expend an additional $27,500.00, in order to pay for costs relative to the acquisition of those rights-of-way needed for the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Hague/Valleyview Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance also authorizes the Director of Public Service to receive OPWC funding through the Franklin County Engineer's Office for this project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, Division of Design and Construction, that this authorization is necessary to continue with pedestrian safety project and failure to authorize these agreements in a timely manner may affect the project schedule; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to enter into right of way acquisition, construction, and other agreements as necessary and to receive OPWC funding through the Franklin County Engineer's Office for the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Hague/Valleyview Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) project.
SECTION 2. That the Real Estate Division of the City Attorney's Office be and is hereby authorized to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests and to contract for the associated professional services relating to property needed for the Pedestrian Safety Improvement - Hague/Valleyview Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS)project.
SECTION 3. The sum of $27,500.00 be and is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the Local Transportation Improvement Fund, Fund 763, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 as follows:
Fund / Grant Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / Amount
Grant Number and OCA to be determined by City Auditor
763 / Hague-Valleyview / 06-6601 / $27,500.00
Appropriation is effective upon receipt of executed grant agreement.
SECTION 4. That the Real Estate Division of the City Attorney's Office be and is hereby authorized to expend $27,500.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary from the Local Transportation Improvement Fund as follows:
Fund / Grant Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / Amount
Grant Number and OCA to be determined by City Auditor
763 / Hague-Valleyview / 06-6601 / $27,500.00
to pay those costs relative to the acquisition of rights-of-way needed for the Hague/Valleyview Pedestrian Safety Improvements project.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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.