Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is accepting Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Round 31 applications for the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) and State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). MORPC serves in a staff support capacity to the District Three (Franklin County) Public Works Integrating Committee (PWIC).
OPWC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects. Additionally, OPWC is required to award a minimum of 20% of the SCIP funding as a no interest loan; in order to make City applications more favorable, some of the applications may include a request for a no interest loan. Therefore, the applications and ensuing agreements may also require a signature from the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications and to execute project agreements for approved projects. The legislation will also authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment.
2. EXPECTED PROJECTS
The Department of Public Service plans to submit applications for the following projects:
Lazelle Road Phase A - Widen for center two way left turn lane. Provide sidewalks on the south side of Lazelle Road and a shared use path on the north side of Lazelle, drainage system, and lighting. The approximate project limits for this project are High Street to Flint Road. MORPC has committed $2,695,514 for construction of this project.
Lazelle Road Phase B - Reconstruction and widening of Lazelle Road, including the replacement of NS and CSXT railroad bridges, relocation of South Old State Road to a roundabout to Starrow Drive, adding sidewalks on the south side of the street, a shared use path on the north side of the street, and a storm sewer outfall pipe along Flint Road. The limits of the project are approximately Flint to Sancus. MORPC has committed $15,583,122 for construction of this project.
Polaris Parkway - Widen Polaris Parkway from I-71 to Old Worthington Road. Construct 5FT Walk: 2,100LF (West side) Orion and 2,100LF (North Side) Polaris Parkway. Construct 10FT Shard Use Path: 2,100LF (South Side) Polaris Parkway, 1,500LF Orion (East Side) and 300LF Olde Worthtington Rd (South Side). MORPC has committed $5,672,867 for construction of this project.
Cannon Drive - Relocating the existing Cannon Drive between John H Herrick Drive and King Avenue. This is a partnership project with The Ohio State University.
Wilson Road - This project will construct a shared use path (SUP) on the west side of Wilson Road from Sullivant Avenue to Broad Street. Modifications will be made to the existing bridge and the alignment of the roadway to accommodate the path addition. The roadway will be widened north of Fremont Street to accommodate a southbound left turn lane. Opposite the new turn lane, a raised grassed median will be placed between Fremont and Wilson Park Way to support a path crossing at Freemont Street. This is a partnership project with Franklin County.
Livingston Avenue Phase C - The Livingston Phase C project coincides with Phase 4 and 2 of ODOT project to reconstruct and modernize the 1.5-mile stretch of I-70/71 corridor in Columbus. Phase C limits from 5th to Kennedy and include, bike lanes, wider sidewalks, street trees, curb extensions for parking and drainage improvements. (Existing 5' sidewalk to be widened, bike line on the north and south side, 3 bus stops in limits.) This is a partnership project with Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
This listing is meant to be illustrative and is believed to be accurate and complete; however, last minute project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will provide an opportunity to secure funds for various projects. The approximate available funding to the District Three Public Works Integrating Committee is $26,188,000.00, and it is to be awarded in the form of grants and loans. As a part of the application for grant funds, the City may apply for a maximum of $3,000,000 in loans as necessary to make the applications more favorable to OPWC and the City.
Based on population, the City of Columbus' share can be 40%, more or less, of the total amount available. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts and/or construction contracts that will be or have been submitted for Council's approval.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested so certified copies of legislation can be submitted to OPWC in a timely manner, demonstrating Council authorization for application of the funds and entering into agreements for the funds.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications for Round 31 of the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program and execute project agreement forms for approved projects for the Department of Public Service on behalf of the City of Columbus; to authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is accepting Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Round 31 applications for the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) and State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). MORPC serves in a staff support capacity to the District Three (Franklin County) Public Works Integrating Committee (PWIC); and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to designate and authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to submit Round 31 applications and execute project agreements; and
WHEREAS, it is also necessary to authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment for Local Transportation Improvement and State Capital Improvement Programs; and
WHEREAS, application amounts are approximate depending upon OPWC scoring criteria; and
WHEREAS, approved applications will require execution within 45 days of notification by the Ohio Public Works Commission; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to apply for the funds and enter into agreements to make the City eligible for the funds, 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 Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to submit applications to MORPC and execute project agreements with the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service for the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program projects.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service and Director of Finance and Management be and are hereby authorized to submit loan documents and borrow money from the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service for projects as awarded under the State Capital Improvement Program.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, are authorized to sign any consequential promissory notes for a grand total of no more than $3,000,000 to certify Round 31 OPWC funding for the City's SCIP loan portion of any project that is awarded a no interest loan.
SECTION 4. 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.