Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) accepts applications twice a year to fund projects using Highway Safety Program funds. The Safety Program Committee is accepting a second round of applications until April 30, 2018. These grants require a 10% local match.
The Cleveland Avenue corridor between 5th Avenue and Lehner Road has a significant number of pedestrian and bicyclist involved crashes. The Department of Public Service is preparing an application that seeks funds for (1) safety infrastructure improvements on Cleveland Avenue from approximately 5th Avenue to Lehner Road, and (2) an educational safety campaign for the corridor.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications and 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. EXPECTED PROJECTS
The Department of Public Service plans to submit applications for the following project:
Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Cleveland Avenue, from 5th Avenue to Lehner Road. There have been a significant number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes in this corridor between 2012 and 2018. There have been at least 92 pedestrian crashes and 32 bicycle crashes. Proposed countermeasures at the intersection would include (1) installing Type II Crosswalks and Enhanced Signing, and (2) installing two Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Signals. Funding would also be sought for a public safety campaign that has two primary purposes: (a) educate pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists of the specific safety countermeasures being installed in the project corridor; and (b) improve general pedestrian and bicycle safety and awareness in the project corridor. Total project costs are currently estimated at $2,200,000.00: this includes $1,900,000.00 for the proposed countermeasures, and $300,000.00 for the proposed public safety campaign.
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 if grant funds are awarded.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to allow grant applications to be submitted before the application deadline.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications for Highway Safety Program grant funds; to execute agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation necessary to accept any awarded grant funds, to expend awarded grant funds, to issue refunds if necessary after final accounting for approved projects; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation is accepting applications for Highway Safety Program funds; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications, 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 submit applications so they are received before the application deadline, 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 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, at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
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.