Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to compensate ODOT for modifications to design of safety railing in conjunction with a completed ODOT project. The contract amount is an agreed upon amount of $52,112.78 being authorized by this ordinance.
In 2017, ODOT's FRA-270-21.67 Part C & D Project, identified as PID 81747, reconfigured the eastbound and westbound lanes at the interchange between U.S. Route 23 and Ohio State Route 315. This project required the replacement of an 879 foot stretch of safety railing along the Olentangy Trail. Through the plan review process, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department requested changes to the safety railing improvements to the project. These changes included an additional 430 feet of railing length, as well as, steel mesh panels to be installed along the entire run of the railing along the underpass in order to keep consistency in the project area.
Upon receipt of ODOT documentation that confirmed the unpaid amount, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department agreed to cover the amount of $52,112.78 to compensate ODOT for the safety railing changes. A review of records in 2026 resulted in the discovery that the transaction had not yet been completed.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Department of Transportation
1980 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43223
Dan Balsley, Division of Finance, (614) 351-2875
Government Agency
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested in order to make this outstanding payment to ODOT and close out the project as soon as possible.
Benefits to the Public: Additional improvements to the design of the safety railing were necessary to ensure high standards of safety for trail users and consistency along the Olentangy Trail.
Community Input/Issues: The community has expressed the desire for a well-kept trails and safety enhancements through public workshops, social media, and direct contact with City staff.
Area(s) Affected: Northwest (34), Citywide (99)
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by nurturing an active and healthy community.
Fiscal Impact: $52,112.78 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the ODOT FRA-270 Olentangy Trail Fence Rebuild Project; to authorize the transfer of $52,112.78 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; to authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the expenditure of $52,112.78 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($52,112.78)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks to enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the ODOT FRA-270 Olentangy Trail Fence Rebuild Project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $52,112.78 within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the amendment of the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1790-2025 in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this and future projects; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $52,112.78 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in order to make this outstanding payment to ODOT and close out the project as soon as possible, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare and, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the ODOT FRA-270 Olentangy Trail Fence Rebuild Project.
SECTION 2. 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 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 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 5. That the transfer of $52,112.78 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 and Permanent Improvement Fund 7747 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1790-2025 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects.
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current Revised Authority / Current Remaining Authority / Change / Amended Revised Authority / Amended Remaining Authority
Fund 7702 / P511045-100000 / Demolition Program 2021-2022 (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $53,900 / $53,900 / $53,900 (to match cash)
Fund 7702 / P511045-100000 / Demolition Program 2021-2022 (Voted Carryover) / $53,900 / $53,900 / ($52,113) / $1,787 / $1,787
Fund 7702 / P512070-100000 / ODOT FRA-270 Olentangy Trail Fence Rebuild (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $0 / $52,113 / $52,113 / $52,113
SECTION 7. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $52,112.78 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702, in object class 06 Capital Outlay, per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That this ordinance, for the reasons stated in the preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance and fully incorporated for reference as if rewritten, is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after this ordinance’s passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.