Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
The City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, is engaged in the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Waggoner Road Shared Use Path - Broad Street to Chapel Stone Road project. This project is the improvement of Waggoner Road by widening and will include a shared use path from Broad Street to Chapel Stone Road on the east side and a sidewalk on west side from Crawford Farms Drive to Chapel Stone Road. A two-way left turn lane is to be installed between Arbor Rose Way and Dolmen Drive. A pedestrian refuge island and beacon will be installed at Crawford Farms Drive and Waggoner Road will be resurfaced.
In the course of effecting pedestrian safety improvements, it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements. These relocations are in areas where the City has previously allowed utilities, but due to this project there is a need to relocate them at the City's expense.
To date, Columbia Gas has been designated as one of the utilities needed to relocate facilities. City Council recognizes that this ordinance does not identify all of the utilities to whom reimbursement may be awarded and understands that its passage will give the Director of Public Service the final decision in determination for such reimbursement(s). This Council is satisfied it is in the best interests of the city to delegate this reimbursement decision.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this project is budgeted in the 2016 Capital Improvements Budget. A transfer of funds is necessary as a temporary funding source until the 2016 bond sale proceeds are received.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide funding for utility reimbursements to allow relocations to be completed as quickly as possible to prevent delays in the construction project.
Title
To amend the 2016 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 Director of Public Service to reimburse utilities for utility relocation costs incurred in conjunction with the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Waggoner Road Shared Use Path - Broad Street to Chapel Stone Road project; to authorize the expenditure of $60,000.00 from the Street and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704; and to declare an emergency. ($60,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is vitally concerned with the use of the various rights-of-way areas in the city as such rights-of-way areas represent a valuable and limited resource that must be utilized to promote the public health, safety and welfare including the economic development of the city; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for utility relocation expenses for the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Waggoner Road Shared Use Path - Broad Street to Chapel Stone Road project in order to provide for quick turnaround of utility relocation work; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $60,000.00 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to provide funding for these utility relocation costs at the earliest possible time to prevent construction delays, 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 2016 Capital Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 0960-2016 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / Amended
7704 / P540002-100035 / Bikeway Development - Olentangy to Alum Creek East-West Connector Phase 2 (Voted Carryover) / $112,579.00 / ($60,000.00) / $62,579.00
7704 / P590105-100071 / Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Waggoner Shared Use Path - Broad Street to Chapel Stone Road (Voted Carryover) / $225,001.00 / $60,000.00 / $285,001.00
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / Amended
7704 / P590105-100071 / Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Waggoner Shared Use Path - Broad Street to Chapel Stone Road (Voted 2013 Debt SIT Supported) / $1,228,280.00 / ($60,000.00) / $1,168,280,.00
7704 / P540002-100035 / Bikeway Development - Olentangy to Alum Creek East-West Connector Phase 2 (Voted 2013 Debt SIT Supported) / $0.00 / $60,000.00 / $60,000.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $60,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 7704 Streets and Highways G.O. Bond Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to reimburse utilities for utility relocation costs to American Electric Power, and other utilities as necessary, for the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Waggoner Road Shared Use Path - Broad Street to Chapel Stone Road project.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $60,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 Street and Highway GO Bonds Fund in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. City Council recognizes that this ordinance does not identify all of the companies that will be reimbursed for the utility relocation costs and understands that its passage will give the Director of Public Service the final decision in determination for reimbursement.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 8. 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 9. For the reasons stated in this ordinance's preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and is effective and in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this ordinance.