Explanation
BACKGROUND: Council previously adopted Resolution 0077X-2014 (the "Resolution of Necessity") on May 12, 2014, which declared the necessity of 1) constructing streetscape improvements and 2) levying a special assessment in the City of Columbus, Ohio (the "City") for streetscape improvements on the south side of Nationwide Boulevard between North Front Street and North High Street, the north and south sides of and in the median of Nationwide Boulevard between North High Street and North 4th Street, parcels at the intersection of Nationwide Boulevard, and North High Street north to the south edge of the railroad bridge, all in Downtown Columbus, all as shown on the Plans and Specifications on file in the office of the Director of the Department of Public Service.
The Resolution of Necessity imposed Special Assessments on the Assessed Parcels in proportion to the special benefits conferred upon such Assessed Parcels from the Project in order to pay for a portion of the cost and expense of the Project.
This Ordinance authorizes the levy of the special assessment upon the lots and lands of the Special Benefit District ("Assessed Parcels") benefited by the construction of streetscape improvements along the south side of Nationwide Boulevard between North Front Street and North High Street, the north and south sides of and in the median of Nationwide Boulevard between North High Street and North 4th Street, and parcels at the intersection of Nationwide Boulevard and North High Street north to the south edge of the railroad bridge in Downtown Columbus, known as the Roadway Improvements - Nationwide Boulevard Improvements project (the "Project") in Downtown Columbus, as contemplated in Resolution 0077X-2014 and Ordinance 1194-2014 pursuant to Section 55(b) of the Charter of the City of Columbus determining that such action is necessary.
All of the costs of the Project have been encumbered by City Council; the final assessment amount has been determined, the final assessment report prepared, and the assessing Ordinance should now be passed pursuant to Section 178 of the Charter of the City of Columbus.
FISCAL IMPACT: No funding is required for this ordinance.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested in order that the assessment process may be completed in time for the County Auditor to place the assessments on the specially benefited lots and lands to repay the City for a portion of the cost to construct the Project.
Title
To levy a special assessment upon the lots and lands of the Special Benefit District specially benefited by the construction of streetscape improvements along the south side of Nationwide Boulevard between North Front Street and North High Street, the north and south sides of and in the median of Nationwide Boulevard between North High Street and North 4th Street, and parcels at the intersection of Nationwide Boulevard and High street north to the south edge of the railroad bridge in Downtown Columbus, as contemplated in Resolution 0077X-2014 and Ordinance 1194-2014; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, over 90% of the property owners of the affected area signed the petition in support of the $1,900,000.00 assessment to be assessed to pay a portion of the costs of the Roadway Improvements - Nationwide Boulevard Improvements project and submitted said petition to this Council requesting such improvement; and
WHEREAS, following the petition, this Council adopted Resolution 0077X-2014 on May 12, 2014, (the "Resolution of Necessity"), which declared the necessity of 1) constructing streetscape improvements and 2) levying a special assessment in the City of Columbus, Ohio (the "City") for streetscape improvements on the south side of Nationwide Boulevard between North Front Street and North High Street, the north and south sides of and in the median of Nationwide Boulevard between North High Street and North 4th Street, parcels at the intersection of Nationwide Boulevard, and North High Street north to the south edge of the railroad bridge, all in Downtown Columbus, all as shown on the Plans and Specifications on file in the office of the Director of the Department of Public Service (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, this Council subsequently passed Ordinance 1194-2014 on June 9, 2014, therein determining to proceed with the Project and the special assessments; and
WHEREAS, all of the costs of the Project have been encumbered by City Council; and the final assessment amount has been determined, the final assessment report prepared, and the assessing Ordinance should now be passed pursuant to Section 178 of the Charter of the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City, in that it is necessary to authorize that the assessment process may be completed in time for the County Auditor to place the assessments on the benefited lots and lands to repay the City for a portion of the cost to construct the Project; for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to each term in the Petition filed with the Clerk of Council.
SECTION 2. That the total cost of designing, constructing and inspecting the Project is $3,935,975.61.
SECTION 3. That the lots and lands ("Special Benefit District") which are specially benefited by the Project shall be levied and assessed upon over 10 years in an amount equaling $190,000.00 annually, through twenty (20) consecutive semi-annual installments, as set forth in the Resolution of Necessity in proportion to the special benefits conferred upon the specially benefited lots and lands. Refer to Attachment (Assessment Roll).
SECTION 4. That said special assessment, and all portions thereof, when collected, shall be paid into Fund 4460 Special Assessments and subfund 446001 Nationwide Blvd Improvements Project and shall be applied to the payment of the bonds issued for the Project and the interest thereon, as the same shall become due and to no other purpose whatsoever.
SECTION 5. That the Clerk of Council shall deliver a certified copy of this Ordinance to the County Auditor within fifteen (15) days after its passage.
SECTION 7. 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.