Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The City of Columbus, Departments of Public Service and Public Utilities, are engaged in the Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Phases 2 and 3/ Seventeenth Avenue SSI projects.
The purpose of these projects is to construct sidewalk on Joyce Avenue, an 8 foot wide shared use path on one side of Joyce Avenue, ADA curb ramps, signal upgrade work at Seventeenth Avenue and Joyce Avenue, storm sewer improvements, and street light relocation upgrade. The roadway shall be widened from its current two lane configuration to a three lane configuration. In addition, improvements on Seventeenth Avenue, between Joyce Avenue and 300 feet west of Billiter Boulevard, sidewalks, curb and gutter, and an enclosed storm sewer. Furthermore, this project shall include a 5 foot wide sidewalk along Seventeenth Avenue only on one side from Joyce Avenue to Brentnell Avenue.
The Departments of Public Service and Public Utilities are currently finalizing construction plans and are actively involved in right-of-way acquisition associated with this project. Ordinance 2320-2011 authorized the City Attorney's office, Real Estate Division, to expend $620,450.00 for preliminary acquisition related activities associated with this project. Additional acquisition related expenses are estimated to be $238,185.00 for Joyce Avenue Phase 2 and $125,000.00 for Joyce Avenue Phase 3. It is now necessary to authorize the City Attorney's Real Estate Division staff to expend an additional $363,185.00 for the property rights and miscellaneous expenditures associated with the acquisition of the additional rights-of-way needed for these projects.
2. Fiscal Impact
Funds in the amount of $363,185.00.00 are available for this project in the Streets and Highways Bond Fund within the Department of Public Service and Storm Sewer Bonds Fund within the Department of Public Utilities.
3. Emergency Justification
Emergency action is requested to provide continued right-of- way acquisition for said projects so as not to delay the Departments' Capital Improvement Programs.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to complete acquisition of the rights-of-way needed for the Operation Safewalks Joyce Avenue Phases 2 and 3 / Seventeenth Ave. SSI projects from the Streets and Highways G.O. Bonds Fund and Storm Sewer Bonds Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $363,185.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary; and to declare an emergency. ($363,185.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Departments of Public Service and Public Utilities are engaged in the Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Phases 2 and 3 / Seventeenth Ave. SSI projects; and
WHEREAS, the Departments of Public Service and Public Utilities are currently finalizing construction plans and is actively involved in right-of-way acquisition associated with these projects; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2320-2011 authorized the City Attorney's office, Real Estate Division, to expend $620,450.00 for preliminary acquisition related activities associated with these projects; and
WHEREAS, City Attorney's office, Real Estate Division, is actively engaged in the acquisition related activities associated with these projects; and
WHEREAS, funds in the amount of $363,185.00.00 are available for this project in the Streets and Highways Bond Fund within the Department of Public Service and Storm Sewer Bonds Fund within the Department of Public Utilities; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Departments of Public Service and Public Utilities in that this authorization proceed immediately to allow for continued right-of-way acquisition for said projects so as not to delay the Departments' Capital Improvement Programs, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, be and is hereby authorized to acquire those rights-of-way needed for Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Phases 2 and 3 / Seventeenth Avenue SSI projects.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose of paying the cost of this contract the sum of up to $363,185.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund and Storm Sewer Bonds Fund as follows:
Department of Public Service
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
704 / 590955-100008 / Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Ph 2/ 06-6601 / 704955 / $187,500.00
704 / 590955-100017 / Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Ph 3/ 06-6601 / 745517 / $137,500.00
Department of Public Utilities
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
685 / 610990-100002 / Seventeenth Avenue SSI/ 06-6601 / 680990 / $38,185.00
SECTION 3. 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 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 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 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.