Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into an agreement with the Franklin County Engineers Office to provide in-kind assistance to Recreation & Parks to help construct the Mudsock Trail-Roberts Road Connector Path.
This project lies within county road right-of-way, and the Franklin County Engineers (FCEO) has offered to provide in-kind assistance to Recreation and Parks to help construct this link. A plan has been developed for the 900’ connector, and the Department is seeking to pay for the construction with an agreement with FCOE.
This project closes a key connection gap to a regional trail. In 2014, the Department constructed the Mudsock Trail along Clover Groff stream. This 2 mile trail is a segment of the Central Ohio Greenways, and connects directly to the City of Hilliard trail network. The trail is well used, and joins two large city parks (Franks Park and Spindler Park).
Several large subdivisions and apartment complexes along Roberts Road are very close to the trail, but have no access. An existing connector trail was built by a subdivision developer nearby, but a final gap still exists.
The costs for this project will be $152,000.
Principal Parties:
Franklin County Engineer’s Office
970 Dublin Road
Columbus, OH 43215
Emergency Justification: An emergency is being requested due to the capital project schedule of the Franklin County Engineer’s. Their 2017 capital bidding schedule and administration of the contract require the city’s funds to be available by June 1. The opportunity to collaborate with FCEO will save costs and time to complete the project.
Benefits to the Public:
Support for the project has been raised by many trail users in the adjacent neighborhood who are using the Mudsock Trail, but are concerned for their safety along the unimproved section of Roberts Road. Over 3,460 residents will be linked with this connection.
Area(s) Affected:
Planning Area 7
Westrock/ Heritage Community
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors. Provide safe connections for nearby neighborhoods to the regional trail network.
Fiscal Impact: $152,000.00 is budgeted and available in the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contract.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks to enter into an agreement with the Franklin County Engineers Office to provide in-kind assistance to the Department to help construct the Mudsock Trail-Roberts Road Connector Path; to authorize the expenditure of $152,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($152,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into an agreement with the Franklin County Engineers Office to provide in-kind assistance to help construct the Mudsock Trail-Roberts Road Connector Path; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $152,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Recreation and Parks Department in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into said agreement due to the capital project schedule of the Franklin County Engineer’s; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks be and is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with the Franklin County Engineers Office to provide in-kind assistance to help construct the Mudsock Trail-Roberts Road Connector Path.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $152,000.00 is authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702.
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 purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $152,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment.
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 10 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.