Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes payment for utility relocation work by Columbia Gas, and other utilities as needed in an amount up to $90,000.00.
The City of Columbus, Department of Public Service and the Department of Public Utilities, are engaged in the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Moler Road Sidewalks project - (CIP# 590105-100065/3067 E).
This project will install a sidewalk and curb ramps along the south side of Moler Road between Lockbourne Road and Holburn Avenue. This project also includes a detention basin on the north side of Moler Road at the approximate station of 24+50. New storm sewer and grading will be installed from station 24+50 to Berkeley Road and from Fairwood Avenue east to station 38+50.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements, it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements. These relocations are in areas where the City has previously allowed utilities, but due to this project there is a need to relocate them at the City's expense.
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 Storm Sewer Bonds Fund, Fund 6204.
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 authorize the Director of Public Service to pay utility relocation costs to various utilities for the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Moler Road Sidewalks project; to authorize the expenditure of $90,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary for utility relocations for this project from the Storm Sewer Bonds Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($90,000.00)
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 transfer of funds is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 6204 Storm Sewer Bonds Fund, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for utility relocation expenses for the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Moler Road Sidewalks project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding for that purpose; 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 Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Moler Road Sidewalks project 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 transfer of $43,968.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 6204 Storm Sewer Bonds Fund 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 utilities for utility relocation costs to Columbia Gas and other utilities as necessary, for the Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Moler Road Sidewalks project.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $90,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6204, Storm Sewer Bonds Fund in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 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.