Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) annually accepts applications to fund projects using Highway Safety Program funds. The Safety Program Committee has reviewed the applications submitted previously and has made decisions on funding projects. These grants require a minimum local match of 10%. The City is working with the following local partners to provide the required local match: Franklin County ($1,700,000.00), Easton ($2,300,000.00), and L Brands ($51,841.00).
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to execute project agreements for approved projects, accept and expend grant funds, and issue refunds if necessary after final accounting is performed. Matching funds will be in the form of design contracts, right of way acquisition, and/ or construction contracts that will be submitted for Council's approval.
2. AWARDED PROJECTS
The Department of Public Service has received notification of grant awards for the following projects:
FRA-CR17 (Morse Road)-4.96 (201705D06-01) - Widen Morse Road to provide 3 lanes eastbound from I-270 to Stygler Road, and three lanes westbound from I-270 to the Water Plant Driveway located approximately 1,300 feet west of Stygler Road. Improve side street approaches to increase capacity at both I-270 ramp intersections. Modify existing signal operation at the intersection Morse Road and Appian Way. Install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Morse Road and Limited Parkway, which is immediately east of the Morse Road and Appian Way intersection. Add dual left turn lane movements to provide needed capacity on WB Morse Road at the Southbound 1-270 Ramps intersection and provide "protected-only" left turn signal phasing. Install a raised median at the driveways just west of Appian Way. Upgrade the overhead guide signs west of the interchange to clarify lane usage for accessing the 1-270 entrance ramps. Funding for this project has been approved - and capped - at $2,308,159.00 in construction funds for SFY 2020.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts, right of way acquisition, and/or construction contracts that will be submitted for Council's approval.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide necessary funding for necessary design and construction services and prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service’s Capital Improvement Program.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service, on behalf of the City of Columbus, to execute Highway Safety Program grant agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation, accept and expend grant funds, and issue refunds if necessary after final accounting for approved projects; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation has awarded the City Highway Safety Program funds grants for the following projects:
FRA-CR17 (Morse Road)-4.96 (201705D06-01) - Widen Morse Road to provide 3 lanes eastbound from I-270 to Stygler Road, and three lanes westbound from I-270 to the Water Plant Driveway located approximately 1,300 feet west of Stygler Road. Improve side street approaches to increase capacity at both I-270 ramp intersections. Modify existing signal operation at the intersection Morse Road and Appian Way. Install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Morse Road and Limited Parkway, which is immediately east of the Morse Road and Appian Way intersection. Add dual left turn lane movements to provide needed capacity on WB Morse Road at the Southbound 1-270 Ramps intersection and provide "protected-only" left turn signal phasing. Install a raised median at the driveways just west of Appian Way. Upgrade the overhead guide signs west of the interchange to clarify lane usage for accessing the 1-270 entrance ramps. Funding for this project has been approved - and capped - at $2,308,159.00 in construction funds for SFY 2020.
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to execute grant agreements, accept and expend grant funds and issue refunds if necessary after final accounting for approved projects; 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 Director to execute grant agreements so that funding can be made available for necessary design and construction services for capital improvement projects, 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 Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to execute grant agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation, on behalf of the City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, for the Highway Safety Program and to accept and expend the funds for the projects.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to issue refunds to ODOT if necessary after final accounting is performed.
SECTION 3. 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.