Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is accepting Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Round 32 applications for the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP) and State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP). MORPC serves in a staff support capacity to the District Three (Franklin County) Public Works Integrating Committee (PWIC).
OPWC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects. Additionally, OPWC is required to award a minimum of 10% of the SCIP funding as a no interest loan; in order to make City applications more favorable, some of the applications may include a request for a no interest loan. Therefore, the applications and ensuing agreements may also require a signature from the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications and to execute project agreements for approved projects. The legislation will also authorize the Director of Finance and Management, the City Auditor, any other City personnel as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment.
2. EXPECTED PROJECTS
The Department of Public Service plans to submit applications for the following projects:
Hamilton Road - 161 to Morse Road - Phase A - This project widens Hamilton Road to provide an additional through lane in each direction between Morse Road and Preserve Boulevard; improve Morse Road to add a center turn lane between Hamilton Road and Trellis Lane; install street trees and street lighting to both locations; construct sidewalks along the west side of Hamilton Road, the south side of Morse Road, both sides of Chestnut Hill Drive, and both sides Preserve Crossing Boulevard; and construct a shared use path along the east of Hamilton Road and the north side of Morse Road. The approximate project limits are SR 161 to Morse Road. MORPC has committed $20,932,405 for construction of this project.
Hamilton Road - I-70 to Refugee Road - This project improves intersections by adding turn lanes and upgrading traffic signals; improves drainage in the corridor; constructs curbs and gutters; constructs a sidewalk on east side of Hamilton Road; and constructs a shared-use path on west side of Hamilton Road. The approximate project limits are I-70 to Refugee Road. MORPC has committed $17,602,400 for construction of this project.
Lazelle Road Phase C - This project widens Lazelle Road to add a center, two-way left-turn lane; provides for sidewalks on the south side of Lazelle Road; provides for a shared use path on the north side of Lazelle Road; improves drainage in the corridor; and installs lighting through corridor. The approximate project limits are Sancus Boulevard to Worthington Galena Road. MORPC has committed $4,949,737 for construction of this project.
Lyra Drive - This project extends Lyra Drive northward from its current terminus north of Gemini Place to Powell Road. Final scoping for Lyra Drive has not yet been completed, but it will be either three or five lanes with a, sidewalk, curb, new street lighting, new storm sewer, waterline, and new intersections where roadways or access points are planned. The approximate project limits are Gemini Place to Powell Road.
(This listing is meant to be illustrative and is believed to be accurate and complete; however, last minute project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service.)
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will provide an opportunity to secure funds for various projects. The approximate available funding to the District Three Public Works Integrating Committee is $25,991,000, and it is to be awarded in the form of grants and loans. As a part of the application for grant funds, the City may apply for a maximum of $3,000,000 in loans as necessary to make the applications more favorable to OPWC and the City.
Based on population, the City of Columbus' share can be forty percent (40%), more or less, of the total amount available. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts and/or construction contracts that will be or have been submitted for Council's approval.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested so certified copies of legislation can be submitted to OPWC in a timely manner, demonstrating Council authorization for application of the funds and entering into agreements for the funds.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications for Round 32 of the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program and to execute project agreement forms for approved projects for the Department of Public Service on behalf of the City of Columbus; to authorize the Director of Finance and Management and City Auditor, as appropriate, to sign for funding use certification, local match availability and to certify loan portion repayment; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Public Works Commission requires that the City of Columbus designate and authorize officials to submit Round 32 applications, execute project agreements, sign for funding use certification and local match availability, and to certify loan portion repayment for Local Transportation Improvement and State Capital Improvement Programs; and
WHEREAS, application amounts are approximate depending upon OPWC scoring criteria; and
WHEREAS, approved applications will require execution within 45 days of notification by the Ohio Public Works Commission;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the submission of applications so as to be able to submit them by the MORPC application deadline of 9/11/17, 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 submit applications and execute project agreements with the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service for the Local Transportation Improvement Program and State Capital Improvement Program projects.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service and Director of Finance and Management be and are hereby authorized to submit loan documents and borrow money from the Ohio Public Works Commission on behalf of the City of Columbus Department of Public Service for projects as awarded under the State Capital Improvement Program.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Finance and Management, the City Auditor, or other City personnel as appropriate, are authorized to sign any consequential promissory notes for a grand total of no more than $3,000,000 to certify Round 32 OPWC funding for the City's SCIP loan portion of any project that is awarded a no interest loan.
SECTION 4. 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.