Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The following legislation authorizes the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division to hire professional services and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Phase 3 project, a joint effort by the Department of Public Service and the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Sewerage and Drainage.
Improvements include widening Joyce Avenue from two to three lanes and adding curbs, gutters, street lights, street trees, upgraded storm sewer system, and American with Disabilities Act compliant curb ramps. Sidewalks will be added on the east side of Joyce and an 8' shared use path will be added on the west side of Joyce. Traffic signals and roadway signage will be upgraded. A stormwater detention facility will be installed to help alleviate drainage issues in the area.
The project limits are 1,084.5 feet north of Seventeenth Avenue to 130.5 feet north of Kenmore Road (approximately 3,690 feet 0.69 miles) along Joyce Avenue, located in Community Planning Area 14.
The Department of Public Service is currently finalizing construction plans and is prepared to authorize right-of-way acquisition pending passage of this funding legislation.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $125,780.00 are available for this project in the Storm Recovery Zone Super B.A.Bs Fund within the Department of Public Utilities. An amendment to the 2014 Capital Improvements fund is necessary for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide necessary right-of-way acquisition funding and prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service's Capital Improvement Program.
Title
To amend the 2014 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division to contract for professional services relative to the acquisition of fee simple title and lesser interests in and to property needed for the Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Phase 3 project; to authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way necessary to complete this project; to authorize the expenditure of $125,780.00 from the Storm Recovery Zone Super B.A.Bs Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($125,780.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is engaged in the Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Phase 3 project; and
WHEREAS, this project will construct two to three lanes on Joyce Avenue and add curbs, gutters, street lights, street trees, upgraded storm sewer system, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant curb ramps. Sidewalks will be added on the east side of Joyce and an 8' shared use path will be added on the west side of Joyce. Traffic signals and roadway signage will be upgraded and a stormwater detention facility will be added; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the City Attorney's Office Real Estate Division to expend $125,780.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to hire professional services and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Phase 3 project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that this ordinance should be authorized immediately so that funding can be made available for the necessary right-of-way acquisition for the project, 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 2014 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 0683-2014 be and is hereby amended to provide sufficient budget authority for the appropriate projects authorized within this ordinance as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / C.I.B. / Change / C.I.B. as Amended
677 / 610756-100000 / East 25th/Joyce Ave SSI / $179,961 / ($125,780) / $54,181
677 / 610990-100003 / Joyce Avenue Improvements / $0 / $125,780 / $125,780
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to transfer cash and appropriation within the Storm Recovery Zone Super B.A.Bs Fund, No. 677, as follows:
Transfer from:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
677 / 610756-100000 / East 25th/Joyce Ave SSI / 06-6682 / 677756 / $125,780.00
Transfer to:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
677 / 610990-100003 / Joyce Avenue Improvements / 06-6682 / 677994 / $125,780.00
SECTION 3. That the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, be, and hereby is, authorized to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to certain parcels of real estate, to contract for professional services, and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way needed to complete the Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Phase 3 project.
SECTION 4. That for the purpose of paying those costs relative to the acquisition of right-of-ways needed for the Operation Safewalks - Joyce Avenue Phase 3 project the sum of up to $125,780.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Storm Sewer Bonds Fund, Fund 677, as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / O.L. 01-03 Codes / OCA / Amount
677 / 610990-100003 / Joyce Avenue Improvements / 06-6682 / 677994 / $125,780.00
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.