Explanation
Background: The City of Columbus, Ohio is the owner of a number of communications towers used in city operations. Ordinance 1475- 2000 authorized the City to enter into agreements with the State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services, Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS) for the shared utilization of three of the City's communications towers. The MARCS system allows radio communication among state agencies, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and other first responders, including the City. Due to a number of changes in operation and a pending upgrade of MARCS equipment at the three sites, the previous agreements are no longer valid. The City and the State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services, Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS) wish to enter into new licenses agreements to allow for the installation of certain new communication equipment necessary for its operation and provide for shared utilization of the City-owned communications towers located on those City-owned properties known as the Morse Road Water Treatment Plant, the Parsons Avenue Water Treatment Plant, and 4250 Groves Road. After investigation, it has been determined that granting MARCS the continued use of the City's communication tower sites and allowing the placement of new equipment on the tower structures will not adversely impact City operations. Any license fee payable by MARCS to the City for its use of the towers may be used to partially defray the City's expense for maintenance of the towers and associated infrastructure. The following ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department and Finance and Management to execute those separate license documents necessary specifying the terms and conditions for the grant of shared use of three City-owned communication tower sites by the State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services, MARCS.
Fiscal Impact: Revenues generated by this transaction and received by the City shall be deposited in the appropriate fund as designated by the City Auditor.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow for the immediate placement of new equipment to upgrade the capacity and efficiency of the MARCS interagency radio system.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department and Finance and Management to execute those separate license documents necessary specifying the terms and conditions for the grant of shared use of three City-owned communication tower sites by the State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services, Multi-Agency Radio Communication System Office (MARCS); and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Ohio is owner of three communications tower sites, located on those City-owned properties known as the Morse Road Water Treatment Plant, the Parsons Avenue Water Treatment Plant, and 4250 Groves Road respectively; and
WHEREAS, the City and the State Of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services, Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS) wish to enter into new licenses agreements for the installation, housing, and operation of certain communication equipment necessary to the operation of an interagency radio system and provide for the shared utilization of three City-owned communications towers; and
WHEREAS, after investigation, it has been determined that granting MARCS the continued use of the three communication tower sites and allowing the placement of new equipment on the tower structures will not adversely impact City operations; and
WHEREAS, any license fees collected from the agreements will be deposited in the proper fund as approved by the City Auditor; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the of the Director of Department and Finance and Management to execute those separate license documents necessary specifying the terms and conditions for the grant of shared use of three communication tower sites by the State Of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services, Multi-Agency Radio Communication System Office (MARCS) for the immediate preservation of the public peace, property, health and safety; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of Department and Finance and Management, be and hereby is authorized to execute those documents, as approved by the Real Estate Division, Department of Law, necessary to enter into a License Agreement between the City, and the State of Ohio, Department of Administrative Services, Multi-Agency Radio Communication System to provide for the installation, housing, and operation of certain MARCS communications equipment and specify the terms and conditions for shared utilization of the City-owned communication tower sites located at the Morse Road Water Treatment Plant, the Parsons Avenue Water Treatment Plant, and 4250 Groves Road.
Section 2. That the City Auditor, be and hereby is authorized and directed to deposit any revenues generated by this transaction and received by the City in the appropriate fund.
Section 3. That for 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 its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.