Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will be accepting Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) applications through August 15, 2016. This is an opportunity for the City to secure outside funding for various roadway improvement projects. MORPC has up to $50 million to distribute to all applicants for new projects from 2016 through 2021.
The current round of applications will be establishing the 2018-2023 TIP, as well as its long-range project listing. The Transportation Improvement Program is composed of these component sub-programs: The Surface Transportation Program (STP); the Transportation Enhancement Program (TE) and the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program (CMAQ). MORPC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects.
In addition to funding applications for projects not previously submitted, MORPC requests the City to "reauthorize" projects submitted prior to 2016 to reaffirm the City's continuing commitment to those projects.
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to submit applications and to execute project agreements for approved projects. Specific projects for which applications will likely be submitted are listed within the body of this ordinance. It also authorizes the expenditure of awarded grant funds and the return of unused grant funds if any should remain at the end of the grant.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
The TIP can fund up to eighty percent (80%) of total right-of-way and construction expenses. Preliminary engineering and design expenses are not eligible for funding, except in certain situation. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be expended within design and/or construction contracts that will be submitted in advance to City Council for approval.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit Federal Attributable Funds roadway improvement project applications to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for consideration for funding within the Transportation Improvement Program; to authorize the Director of Public Service to execute project agreements for approved projects for the Department of Public Service; to authorize the expenditure of any awarded grant funds and the return of any unused grant funds; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will be accepting Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) applications through August 15, 2016; and
WHEREAS, this is an opportunity for the City to secure outside funding for various roadway improvement projects; and
WHEREAS, MORPC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects; and
WHEREAS, MORPC requests that the City "reauthorize" projects submitted prior to 2016 to reaffirm the City's continuing commitment; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that information must be provided to MORPC by their application deadline, 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 hereby is authorized to submit roadway improvement project applications to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for consideration for funding within the Transportation Improvement Program and/or its component sub-programs, the Surface Transportation Program (STP); the Transportation Enhancement Program (TE) and the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program (CM/AQ) and that City Council hereby endorses applications for the following projects:
Projects currently on the TIP that require an update application:
• Alum Creek Drive Phase 1 (Refugee Road to Frebis Avenue). Construction in 2017. Total project cost = $16,373,309 (request = $12,355,854).
• Alum Creek Drive (Refugee Road to Frebis Avenue). Construction in 2016. Total project cost = $543,408 (request = $434,726).
• Columbus Signals Project Phase D. Construction in 2017. Total project cost estimate = $15,860,000 (request = $12,600,000).
• Hamilton Road (SR317)/I70-Refugee Road. Construction in 2018. Total project cost = $21,795,000 (request $15,124,000)
• Lazelle Rd Phase A. Construction in 2017. Total project cost = $5,585,389 (request = $4,042,191).
• Lazelle Rd Phase B. Construction in 2017. Total project cost = $23,635,289 (request = $17,303,274).
• Lazelle Rd Phase C. Construction in 2018. Total project cost = $6,883,130 (request = $5,011,323).
• Polaris Parkway/Orion (east of I-71 to Westerville). Construction in 2018. Total project cost = $15,800,000 (request = $11,040,000).
• Hilliard-Rome Road at Feder Road. Construction in 2020. Total project cost = $10,230,000 (request = $4,572,000).
• N Hamilton Road (Morse Road to Menerey Lane). Construction in 2018. Total project cost = $25,892,717 (request = $19,285,593).
• Columbus Signals Project Phase E. Construction in 2019. Total project cost estimate = $15,000,000 (request = $11,100,000).
• Refugee Road (Winchester Pike to Hamilton Road). Construction in 2020. Total project cost = $5,445,490 (request = $3,528,599).
Potential projects that require a complete application:
• Cassady Avenue - Johnstown Road to Bexley Corp Limit. Construction in 2020. Total project cost estimate = $15,507,000, (request = $10,612,800)
• Avery Road - Railroad tracks to Tuttle Crossing Blvd extension. Construction in 2020. Total project cost estimate = to be determined
• E. Broad Street - Ganse Lane to Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road. Construction in 2020. Total project cost estimate = to be determined
- Roberts Road - Hilliard-Rome Road to Westrock Dr. Construction in 2020. Total project cost estimate = to be determined
- Olentangy River Road at Goodale Boulevard. Construction in 2020. Total project cost estimate = to be determined
Section 2. That project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service based upon the feasibility of the applications being approved through the scoring process.
Section 3. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to execute project agreements for approved projects.
SECTION 4. If awarded grant funds, the Department of Public Service is authorized to expend the funds in accordance with the grant conditions.
SECTION 5. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
Section 6. That in regard to any/all projects for which funding is approved within the context of this application process, the City will assume and bear one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of construction within its corporate limits minus the portion eligible for federal and state participation and provide maintenance to the improvements in accordance with the provisions of the statutes relating thereto and will make ample financial and other provisions for such maintenance.
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.