Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and to accept contributions from the Franklin County Economic Development & Planning Department (Franklin County) relative to the construction of various public infrastructure improvements in the Near East and Northeast areas of Columbus.
The Intersection Improvements - Stelzer Road at Easton Way project encompasses widening Stelzer Road to include a second northbound right turn lane at Easton Way and widening the entrance ramp from eastbound Easton Way to southbound I-270 to include a second lane. The Arterial Street Rehabilitation - Morse Road Phase 1 - Seward Street to Stygler Road project encompasses widening and resurfacing Morse Road and the I-270 interchange ramps to add additional through and turn lanes and constructing a shared use path on the south side of Morse Road from Seward Street to L-Brands driveway. Franklin County has agreed to support the completion of the aforementioned projects, which are being administered by the Department of Public Service.
2. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
The Department of Public Service is requesting this ordinance be considered as an emergency measure in order to allow for immediate execution of agreements necessary to facilitate the construction of these public improvements in a timely manner.
3. FISCAL IMPACT
Franklin County will deposit up to $2,000,000.00 with the City to fund costs incurred during the completion of the aforementioned capital improvement projects.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and accept funding from the Franklin County Economic Development & Planning Department relative to the Intersection Improvements - Stelzer Road at Easton Way project and the Arterial Street Rehabilitation - Morse Road Phase 1 - Seward Street to Stygler Road project; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service proposes constructing or causing to be constructed various public infrastructure improvements in the Near East and Northeast areas of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Intersection Improvements - Stelzer Road at Easton Way project encompasses widening Stelzer Road to include a second northbound right turn lane at Easton Way and widening the entrance ramp from eastbound Easton Way to southbound I-270 to include a second lane; and
WHEREAS, the Arterial Street Rehabilitation - Morse Road Phase 1 - Seward Street to Stygler Road project encompasses widening and resurfacing Morse Road and the I-270 interchange ramps to add additional through and turn lanes and constructing a shared use path on the south side of Morse Road from Seward Street to L-Brands driveway; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Economic Development & Planning Department has agreed to contribute up to $2,000,000.00 to support the completion of those improvements; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and to accept funding from Franklin County relative to the aforementioned efforts; 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 enter into agreements with Franklin County to facilitate the acceptance and expenditure of requisite construction funding so as to prevent unnecessary delays in the completion of the aforementioned public improvements, 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 hereby is authorized to enter into agreements with and to accept funding from the Franklin County Economic Development & Planning Department toward work performed as part of the Intersection Improvements - Stelzer Road at Easton Way project and the Arterial Street Rehabilitation - Morse Road Phase 1 - Seward Street to Stygler Road project.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to appropriate any funds provided by Franklin County for the aforementioned capital improvement projects without additional legislation.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized to establish auditor certificates and accounting codes without additional legislation for any funds provided by Franklin County for said projects.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. At the end of the project, after the performance of final accounting, any unused funds contributed by Franklin County for the aforementioned capital improvement projects are to be refunded to Franklin County.
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.