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 Traffic Signal Installation - Westerville Road at Thornapple Dr.-Wallingford Avenue project.
The Department of Public Service is currently engaged in the Traffic Signal Installation - Westerville Road at Thornapple Dr.-Wallingford Avenue project, which will remove the existing strain pole traffic signal and install a new mast arm traffic signal that also signalizes Wallington Avenue. 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 $50,000.00 are available for this project in the Streets and Highways G.O. Bond Fund within the Department of Public Service, Fund 7704. An amendment to the 2017 Capital Improvements Budget is necessary for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide necessary right-of-way acquisition funding and prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service’s Traffic Signal Installation - Westerville Road at Thornapple Dr-Wallingford Avenue project.
Title
To amend the 2017 Capital Improvements Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer cash and appropriation between projects within the Streets and Highways G.O. Bond Fund, Fund 7704; 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 Traffic Signal Installation - Westerville Road at Thornapple Dr.-Wallingford Avenue project; 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 this project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $50,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is engaged in the Traffic Signal Installation - Westerville Road at Thornapple Dr.-Wallingford Avenue project; and
WHEREAS, this project will upgrade traffic signal equipment at Westerville Road at Thornapple Dr.-Wallingford Avenue intersection; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to expend $50,000.00 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 Traffic Signal Installation - Westerville Road at Thornapple Dr.-Wallingford Avenue project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2017 Capital Improvements Budget for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Auditor’s Office to transfer funds between projects within Fund 7704 Streets and Highways G.O. Bond 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 the above actions so that funding can be made available for the necessary right-of-way acquisition for the Traffic Signal Installation - Westerville Road at Thornapple Dr-Wallingford Avenue 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 2017 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1124-2017 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / Amended
7704 / 540007-100000 / Traffic Signal Installation - General Engineering (Voted Carryover) / $881,853.00 / ($50,000.00) / $831,853.00
7704 / 540007-100056 / Traffic Signal Installation - Westerville Road at Thornapple Dr.-Wallingford Avenue project (Voted Carryover) / $0.00 / ($50,000.00) / $50,000.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 7704 Streets and Highways G.O. Bond Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, 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 Traffic Signal Installation - Westerville Road at Thornapple Dr.-Wallingford Avenue project.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 Streets and Highways G.O. Bond 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. 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.