Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a construction reimbursement agreement related to the Bikeway Development - Sullivant/Georgesville Camp Chase Trail Connector project. The cost of the construction is estimated to be $55,000.00.
The City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and Department of Public Service are engaged in the Bikeway Development - Sullivant-Georgesville Camp Chase Trail Connector project - (DPS CIP# 540002-100080/3194 E). Work on this project includes construction of the final linkage of the Camp Chase Trail, a major 16 mile regional trail from Madison County through the Hilltop neighborhood. The Camp Chase Trail is also the route of the nationally significant Ohio to Erie Trail, connecting Columbus to Cincinnati and Cleveland. This portion of the project will install a shared use path along the south side of Sullivant Avenue from just east of the Camp Chase Railroad to Georgesville Road and along the east side of Georgesville Road from Sullivant Avenue to the Camp Chase Trail and the existing shared use path north of the Camp Chase railroad installed by the Franklin County Engineer’s Office. This project will also include new storm sewers. The traffic signals will be upgraded at Georgesville Road and Sullivant Avenue West, Georgesville Road and Atlanta Drive, and Georgesville Road at Sullivant Avenue East.
The Department of Public Service is currently finalizing construction plans and is prepared to authorize right of way acquisition pending passage of this funding legislation. The Recreation and Parks Department is responsible for paying construction and right-of-way acquisition and has conducted extensive public involvement in the Hilltop and Westgate communities during the past two years to develop the project. Prior legislation by City Council authorized the construction of the central city segment of the Camp Chase Trail and the first phase construction of the Wilson Road Park Trail Head.
The funding request for railway work reimbursement is based upon estimates from Camp Chase Railway. This legislation authorizes payment for railroad switch and crossing panel extension work up to the amount of $55,000.00 to Camp Chase Railway after work is completed and invoices approved.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for this project are available within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund, 7702.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The Department of Public Service and the Recreation and Parks Department are requesting emergency designation so as to provide funding for construction at the earliest possible time to maintain the project construction schedule.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into a construction reimbursement agreement related to the Bikeway Development - Sullivant-Georgesville Camp Chase Trail Connector project; to authorize the expenditure of $55,000.00 for railroad construction work for this project from the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($55,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, design work is nearly completed for the Bikeway Development - Sullivant-Georgesville Camp Chase Trail Connector project; and
WHEREAS, Camp Chase Railway has provided an estimate of costs to perform needed construction for this project; and
WHEREAS, a reimbursement agreement needs to be executed with Camp Chase Railway for construction to begin; and
WHEREAS, funding must be made available for the reimbursement agreement to pay for the railroad construction work; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $55,000.00 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service and the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize payment 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 Director of Recreation and Parks is authorized to enter into a construction reimbursement agreement with Camp Chase Railway for railroad construction work costs for the Bikeway Development - Sullivant-Georgesville Camp Chase Trail Connector project.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $55,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7702 Recreation and Parks 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 and or vetoes the same.