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 Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension from Central College to Walnut project in the Rocky Fork-Blacklick Planning Area (04).
The Department of Public service is engaged in the Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension from Central College to Walnut project. The project will build a 3-lane roadway to Site Drive 3, an intersection with a private drive approximately 1000 feet north of Central College Road. The roadway will remain uncurbed and the typical section will accommodate future widening of the road to a 5-lane section. Construction will also include sidewalk, street lighting, stormwater controls, and a right-in, right-out approximately 300 feet north of Central College Road. The intersection at Hamilton Road and Central College Road will become four-way stop controlled.
The cost to acquire the right-of-way needed to complete the project is estimated at $450,000.00. If the cost to acquire the needed right-of-way should exceed this estimate, additional legislation will be submitted to Council requesting the needed funding.
The Department of Public service is currently finalizing construction plans and is prepared to authorize right-of-way acquisition pending passage of this funding legislation.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $450,000.00 are available for this project in the Upper Albany West TIF Fund, Fund 7443.
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 Capital Improvement Program.
Title
To appropriate funds within the Upper Albany West TIF Fund; 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 Hamilton Road Extension from Central College to Walnut 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 $450,000.00 from the Upper Albany West TIF Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($450,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is engaged in the Roadway Improvements - Hamilton Road Extension from Central College to Walnut project; and
WHEREAS, successful completion of this project necessitates the City acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to various properties located along the project corridor as additional rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, right-of-way acquisition cost, including professional services, staff and land costs, have been estimated to total $450,000.00; 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 necessary right-of-way acquisition for the project to prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service's Capital Improvement Program, 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 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 $450,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 7443 Upper Albany West TIF in Object Class 06 Capital Outlay per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. 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 Hamilton Road Extension from Central College to Walnut project in an amount up to $450,000.00.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $450,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7443 Upper Albany West TIF in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 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 ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.