Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreement with and provide funding up to $270,000.00 to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) relative to the FRA-161-5.77 project, PID 101775, also known as the Intersection Improvements - SR-161 Corridor Study - Linworth Area project, located in the Northwest Community Planning Area.
ODOT proposes to perform a study of the SR-161 corridor from Sawmill Road to Olentangy River Road, with potential improvements to be studied to include a grade separation with the railroad, roadway widening, pedestrian and bikeway facilities, and various safety improvements.
Ordinance 2981-2015 authorized the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation (ODOT) for this project and noted that future legislation requesting requisite funding would be forthcoming. The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of said funds.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated cost of the project is $600,000.00, with the City contributing $270,000.00 toward that effort. Funding for this project is available in the Street and Highway Improvements Fund within the Department of Public Service. An amendment to the 2015 Capital Improvements Budget is necessary for the purpose of providing sufficient cash and spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to allow ODOT to maintain the planned project schedule, which calls for the study to begin in summer 2016.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and funds to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) relative to the Intersection Improvements - SR-161 Corridor Study - Linworth Area project; to amend the 2015 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer cash and appropriation within the Street and Highway Improvements Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $270,000.00 from the Street and Highway Improvements Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($270,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) proposes to perform a study of the SR-161 corridor from Sawmill Road to Olentangy River Road, with potential improvements to be studied to include a grade separation with the railroad, roadway widening, pedestrian and bikeway facilities, and various safety improvements; and
WHEREAS, the City desires for the Director of Transportation to proceed with the aforesaid study; and
WHEREAS, the City, acting through its Department of Public Service, has agreed to participate in the study and contribute up to $270,000.00 toward that effort; and
WHEREAS, City Council enacted Ordinance 2981-2015 proposing cooperation with the Director of Transportation, thereby formalizing that pact, on December 7, 2015; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreement with and provide funding in the amount of up to $270,000.00 to ODOT relative to the FRA-161-5.77 project, PID 101775, also known as the Intersection Improvements - SR-161 Corridor Study - Linworth Area project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2015 Capital Improvements Budget and a transfer of cash within the Street and Highway Improvements Fund for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this legislation in order to provide requisite funding for the project so as to prevent unnecessary delays in the completion thereof, 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 this is an ordinance enacted by the City Council of the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, hereinafter referred to as Legislative Authority/Local Public Agency or “LPA”, in the matter of the stated project described below:
Project Description:
The FRA-161-5.77 project, PID 101775 proposes to perform a study of the SR-161 corridor through the Linworth area. Potential improvements to be studied include a grade separation with the railroad, roadway widening, pedestrian and bikeway facilities and various safety improvements.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to enter into agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and provide funding in the amount of up to $270,000.00 for the aforementioned project.
SECTION 3. That the 2015 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by Ordinance 0557-2015 be amended to establish sufficient authority for this project as follows:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current C.I.B. / Amendment Amount / C.I.B. as Amended
7766 / P766999-100000 / Unallocated Balance Fund (Street & Highway Imp Carryover) / $2,275,604.00 / ($270,000.00) / $2,005,604.00
7766 / P530009-100000 / Intersection Improvements - SR161 Corridor Study - Linworth Area (Street & Highway Imp Carryover) / $0.00 / $270,000.00 / $270,000.00
SECTION 4. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, the sum of $270,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 7766 Street and Highway Improvements Fund in Object Class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the transfer of $270,000.00, or so much as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 7766 Street and Highway Improvements Fund, per the account codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the expenditure of $270,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7766 Street and Highway Improvements Fund in Object Level 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. 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.