Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The following legislation authorizes the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division to hire professional services and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Roadway Improvements-Livingston Avenue Phase B and Roadway Improvements-Livingston Avenue Phase C projects in the Near South Planning Area (22).
The Roadway Improvements- Livingston Avenue Phase B - High to Fifth Street project includes roadway improvements to Livingston Avenue from the westerly property line extended of Livingston Methodist Episcopal Church to High Street, where the roadway will be reconstructed and widened. Additional improvements include bike lanes, curb extensions where parking is permitted, a new sidewalk, intersection upgrades, and streetscape improvements. New storm sewer, street lighting, and water lines will be installed. All aerial utilities will be relocated underground.
The Roadway Improvements - Livingston Avenue Phase C - Fifth Street to Kennedy Drive project includes roadway improvements to Livingston Avenue from the eastern property line extended of Livingston Methodist Episcopal Church, where the roadway will be reconstructed and widened. Grant Avenue will also be widened to accommodate a second southbound left turn lane at Livingston Avenue and will be resurfaced from Livingston Avenue to the southern limit of the bridge over I-70/I-71 approach slab. Additional improvements include bike lanes, curb extensions where parking is permitted, a new sidewalk, intersection upgrades, and streetscape improvements. New storm sewer, street lighting, and water lines will be installed. All aerial utilities will be relocated underground. The Department of Public Service is currently finalizing construction plans and is prepared to authorize right-of-way acquisition pending passage of this legislation.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $250,000.00 are available for these projects in the Streets and Highways Bond Fund within the Department of Public Service.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The department requests emergency designation so as to provide necessary right-of-way acquisition funding and prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service’s Capital Improvement Program.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division to contract for professional services relative to the acquisition of fee simple title and lesser interests in and to property needed for the Roadway Improvements-Livingston Avenue Phase B and Roadway Improvements-Livingston Avenue Phase C projects; to authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way necessary to complete these projects; to authorize the expenditure of up to $250,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is engaged in the Roadway Improvements-Livingston Avenue Phase B and C projects; and
WHEREAS, this project will reconstruct and widen Livingston Avenue and widen Grant Avenue to accommodate a second southbound left turn lane at Livingston Avenue; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Real Estate Division of the City Attorney's Office to expend $250,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to hire professional services and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Roadway Improvements-Livingston Avenue Phase B and C projects; 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 above actions so that funding can be made available for the necessary right-of-way acquisition for the project, 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 Real Estate Division of the City Attorney's Office be and hereby is authorized to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to certain parcels of real estate, to contract for professional services, and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way needed to complete the Roadway Improvements-Livingston Avenue Phase B and Roadway Improvements-Livingston Avenue Phase C projects in an amount of up to $250.000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $250,000.00, or so much therof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 Streets and Highway Bond Fund in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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.