Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes payment for utility relocation work by Columbia Gas, Delco Water, and other utilities as needed in an amount up to $1,000,000.00.
The Public Service Department is engaged in the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase A Project (aka FRA-Lazelle Road PID 95606). Project work includes widening 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 High Street to Flint Road.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements or place overhead utilities underground to promote public health, safety and the welfare including the economic development of the City. It is necessary to move utilities to complete this project.
This project will be 80% funded by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), with the City of Columbus paying the remaining 20% of the cost. The City’s share of the utility relocation expense is $200,000.00. The City must front the entire cost of the utility relocations, but ultimately the Ohio Department of Transportation will reimburse $800,000.00 to the City for the MORPC/ODOT share.
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 Federal Transportation Grants Fund, Fund 7765. Amendment to the 2017 Capital Improvements Budget is necessary to establish sufficient cash and budget authority in the proper project.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Public Service is requesting emergency designation so as to provide funding for utility reimbursements for the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase A Project (aka FRA-Lazelle Road PID 95606) project at the earliest possible time to maintain the project construction schedule.
Title
To amend the 2017 Capital Improvement Budget; to appropriate funds within the Federal Transportation Grants Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer cash and appropriation within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to pay utility relocation costs to utilities as needed for the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase A Project; to authorize the expenditure of $1,000,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary for utility relocations for this project from the Streets & Highways Bond Fund and the Federal Transportation Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,000,000.00)
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 A Project (aka FRA-Lazelle Road PID 95606) project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $1,000,000.00 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 Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase A Project (aka FRA-Lazelle Road PID 95606) 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 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 / P590910 - 100002 / SciTech-OSU research park envir. (Voted Carryover) / $286,424.00 / ($150,000.00) / $136,424.00
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /Amended
7704 / P530161 - 100145 / Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase A (Voted Carryover) / $50,000.00.00 / $150,000.00 / $200,000.00
SECTION 2. 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 $800,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 7765 Federal Transportation Grants Fund Object Class 06 Capital Outlay per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the transfer of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 7704 Streets and Highways General Obligations Bond Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to reimburse utilities for utility relocation costs to Columbia Gas, Delco Water, and other utilities as needed, for the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase A Project (aka FRA-Lazelle Road PID 95606) project.
SECTION 5. That the expenditure of $200,000.00, 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 6. That the expenditure of $800,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7765 Federal Transportation Grants Fund in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. That 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 days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this ordinance.