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 the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Regional Sidewalk Inventory project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $50,000.00 from the Street and Highway Improvement Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Services has identified the need to participate in and fund a project with the Ohio Department of Transportation and MORPC to produce a regional sidewalk inventory; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreement with Ohio Department of Transportation for the project described above in the amount of up to $50,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2013 Capital Improvements Budget for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that this agreement should be authorized immediately so that funding can be made available for the study and to maintain ODOT's and MORPC's schedule, thereby preserving the public health, peace, prosperity, and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2013 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 0645-2013 be amended to provide sufficient authority in the appropriate project detail number for this project as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as amended
704 / 590105-100098 / Ped Safety Imp - Sidewalk Design III (Voted Carryover) / $134,0000 / ($50,000) / $84,000
SECTION 2. That the transfer of cash and appropriation within the Streets and Highways G.O. Bond Fund, 704 be authorized as follow:
Transfer from:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
704 / 590105-100098 / Ped Safety Imp - Sidewalk Design III / 06-6600 / 710598 / $50,000.00
Transfer to:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
704 / 590105-100110 / Ped Safety Imp - Regional Sidewalk Inventory / 06-6600 / 705110 / $50,000.00
Section 3. That the Director of Public Service be authorized to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation up to $50,000.00 to participate and fund a joint project with ODOT and MORPC to produce a regional sidewalk inventory.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose of paying the cost of this contract the sum of up to $50,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
704 / 590105-100110 / Ped Safety Imp - Regional Sidewalk Inventory / 06-6682 / 705110 / $50,000.00
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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.