Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This ordinance will provide the City Attorney with funding for real estate services that are needed for the City to acquire sanitary sewer easements in connection with the Big Walnut Augmentation Rickenbacker Interceptor (BWARI) Lockbourne Intermodal Subtrunk Project that the Division of Sewerage and Drainage is currently undertaking. The necessity of this project comes from the active development of the area and the need to provide gravity sewer service to Lockbourne which is presently serviced through the Rickenbacker Port Authority utilizing a lift station-force main connection. This project will design and construct a sanitary subtrunk sewer to service the western portion of the former Air National Guard Base and will service the Village of Lockbourne and the proposed intermodel transportation facility.
2. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION:
The Division of Sewerage and Drainage is requesting City Council to consider this ordinance an emergency measure, in order to allow for the immediate commencement of the easement acquisition services. These easements are necessary to allow for the construction of this sewer extension that will allow for considerable private, economic development initiatives currently being undertaken in the Rickenbacker growth area.
3. FISCAL IMPACT:
This project already has sufficient funds and budget authority allocated within the Sanitary Sewer Revenue Bonds Fund to allow for this planned capital expenditure upon passage of this ordinance.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests; to contract for professional services; to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the Sanitary Sewer Revenue Bonds Fund; in connection with the Big Walnut Augmentation Rickenbacker Interceptor (BWARI) Lockbourne Intermodal Subtrunk Project; for the Division of Sewerage and Drainage; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, Department of Public Utilities, is in the process of developing construction plans and specification for the rehabilitation of the BWARI Lockbourne Intermodal Subtrunk Project; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined necessary for the City to acquire certain fee simple title and lesser interests in and to certain parcels of real estate, to contract for the professional services necessary to complete said acquisition, and to request that City Council authorize the expenditure of necessary funds from the Sanitary Sewer Revenue Bonds Fund for the project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Sewerage and Drainage, Department of Public Utilities, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Attorney to procure the required easements and or rights-of-way that are required to maintain and rehabilitate the infrastructure associated with BWARI Lockbourne Intermodal Subtrunk Project; for the 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 City Attorney be, and hereby is, authorized to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to certain parcels of real estate and to contract for the professional services necessary in connection with the BWARI Lockbourne Intermodal Subtrunk Project.
Section 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to expend $250,000.00 from the Sanitary Sewer Revenue Bonds Fund, or so much thereof as may be necessary, in order to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to certain parcels of real estate and to contract for the professional services necessary: Fund 665; Div. 60-05; BWARI Lockbourne Intermodal Subtrunk Project; Proj. 650491.2; Object Level Three 6601; OCA 665491; Amount $250,000.00
Section 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unencumbered balance in the 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; except that no transfer shall be so made from a project account funded by monies from more than one source.
Section 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish proper project accounting numbers as appropriate.
Section 5. 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 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.