Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into an agreement to participate and fund a joint project with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to produce a regional sidewalk inventory to help improve safety and general transportation planning for the central Ohio region (Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Regional Sidewalk Inventory project). MORPC is also a partner in the project.
The sidewalk inventory will be GIS based. The inventory will include descriptive characteristics such as presence of sidewalk, width, crosswalk status, buffer width, ADA ramps, condition, and obstacles. The project will also include developing a process for maintaining the inventory. Columbus has already agreed to maintain its area.
While there have been efforts to develop a sidewalk inventory in the past, and a few communities have their own sidewalk data, they lack comprehensive data that can be used for analysis and do not cover MORPC’s MPO study area. This information would be a valuable input to MORPC’s safety programs and active transportation plan.
The inventory will take three to four months to complete and will be done in time to supplement the ODOT/Columbus School District-wide School Travel Plan that is currently being conducted.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
The total contract amount for the project is $170,000. The City of Columbus, Department of Public Service will contribute $50,000.
Funds in the amount of $50,000 are available for this project in the Streets and Highways G.O. Bond Fund within the Department of Public Service. An amendment to the 2013 Capital Improvements fund is necessary for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure.
4. EMERGENCY
Emergency action is requested to maintain ODOT’s and MORPC's project schedule.
Title
To amend the 2013 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer of cash and appropriation within ...
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