Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes payment for utility relocation work by AEP, AT&T LNS, Century Link/Qwest, Columbia Gas, Sprint, Suburban Natural Gas and other utilities up to the amount of $200,000.00.
The Public Service Department, Design and Construction Division is engaged in the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase C Project (aka FRA-Lazelle Road PID 95607). This improvement will widen Lazelle Road to 3 lanes including a center two way left turn lane and will provide sidewalks on the south side of Lazelle Road, a shared use path on the north side of Lazelle Road, drainage system, and lighting. The approximate project limits for this project are from Sancus Boulevard to Worthington-Galena Road.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements, it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements. This project requires the relocation of utilities and the relocation is at the City's expense as the City is initiating the action requiring the relocation.
The funding request for utilities relocation reimbursement is based upon estimates from the utilities. The utilities will invoice the City for actual costs incurred in relocating the utilities. The amount needed may exceed the amount requested in this ordinance. Additional legislation will be submitted by the Department of Public Service if additional funds are needed to complete the relocations.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for this project are available within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704 and the Fed-State Highway Engineering Fund, Fund 7765. 80% of the funding for this project will be provided by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in the form of a reimbursement grant, with the City of Columbus contributing 20% of the cost. The City’s share of the $200,000.00 utility relocation expense is $40,000.00 and the Ohio Department of Transportation will reimburse $160,000.00 to the City.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Public Service is requesting emergency designation so as to provide funding for utility reimbursements at the earliest possible time to maintain the project construction schedule.
Title
To appropriate funds in the Fed-State Highway Engineering Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to pay utility relocation costs to various utilities for the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase C Project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $40,000.00 from the Streets & Highway Bond Fund for the utility relocations; to authorize the expenditure of up to $160,000.00 for the utility relocations from the Fed-State Highway Engineering Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is concerned with the use of the various rights-of-way areas in the city as such rights-of-way areas represent a valuable and limited resource that must be utilized to promote the public health, safety and welfare including the economic development of the city; and
WHEREAS, utility relocations must be completed before construction can begin; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for utility relocation expenses for the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase C Project (aka FRA-Lazelle Road PID 95607); and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Auditor’s Office to appropriate funds in the amount of $160,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, in Fund 7765 Fed-Highway Engineering Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to reimburse AEP, AT&T LNS, Century Link/Qwest, Columbia Gas, Sprint, Suburban Natural Gas and other utilities for utility relocation costs for the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase C Project (aka FRA-Lazelle Road PID 95607).
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $40,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, in Fund 7704 Street and Highway GO Bonds Fund; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $160,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, in Fund 7765 Fed-State Highway Engineering Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize payment for utility relocation expenses for the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase C Project (aka FRA-Lazelle Road PID 95607) 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 from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the sum of $160,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 7765 Fed-Highway Engineering Fund in Object Class 06 Capital Outlay per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to reimburse AEP, AT&T LNS, Century Link/Qwest, Columbia Gas, Sprint, Suburban Natural Gas and other utilities for utility relocation costs for the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase C Project (aka FRA-Lazelle Road PID 95607).
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $40,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 Street and Highway GO Bonds Fund in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $160,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7765 Fed-State Highway Engineering Fund in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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 8. For the reasons stated in this ordinance's preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and is effective and in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this ordinance.