Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the Chief Innovation Officer to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) , the Columbus Partnership, and the Ohio State University (OSU), or any combination of partners thereof, pertaining to the DriveOhio initiative, which seeks to advance smart mobility in Ohio by fostering cooperation and collaboration among public and private entities involved in the design, development, testing, use, and regulation of autonomous and connected technologies. The MOU will formalize the intentions of the aforesaid parties to collaborate and fund self-driving vehicle deployments in connection with the Smart City Challenge, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (Vulcan).
In 2016, the City of Columbus won the Smart City Challenge, resulting in the award of up to $40 million in federal funds from USDOT and up to $10 million in private grant funding from Vulcan to assist in implementation of the City’s proposal to demonstrate how advanced data and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies and applications can be used to reduce congestion, keep travelers safe, protect the environment, respond to climate change, connect underserved communities, and support economic vitality.
Pursuant to aforementioned MOU, ODOT/Drive Ohio and the Columbus Partnership anticipate fully funding, operating, and maintaining a self-driving deployment, which the City will help coordinate and evaluate as part of the Smart City Challenge. OSU, subject to final approval by university leadership, anticipates providing the expertise of faculty, staff, and students to identify relevant research opportunities and to engage, where meaningful, on projects related to autonomous vehicle deployment on campus; and, where meaningful, providing the expertise of faculty, staff, and students to advise and/or engage on projects related to autonomous vehicle deployment elsewhere in Columbus and central Ohio region. The City anticipates funding one self-driving vehicle deployment in a location to be determined in coordination with stakeholders and providing consulting expertise for the demonstration being led by ODOT/DriveOhio and the Columbus Partnership.
The expectation is these demonstrations will be completed within the Smart City Challenge grant period.
The terms of the MOU notwithstanding, the City’s financial commitment to the demonstration of self-driving vehicles as part of the Smart City Challenge remains subject to authorization by Columbus City Council through the adoption of appropriate legislation and the execution of a formal agreement among the parties.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency designation of this ordinance is requested so that the MOU can be executed as quickly as possible for the success of grant deliverables.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no immediate costs to the City associated with the MOU. Future legislation will be submitted to authorize such expenses. Thus the City's financial commitment is contingent upon and subject to authorization by City Council through the adoption of appropriate legislation.
Title
To authorize the Chief Innovation Officer to execute and deliver, on behalf of the City, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Columbus Partnership, and The Ohio State University, or any combination of partners thereof, pertaining to the demonstration of self-driving vehicles as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation Smart City Challenge, and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, on December 7, 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the Smart City Challenge, a collaborative effort by USDOT and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (Vulcan) seeking to “create a fully integrated, first-of-its kind city that uses data, technology and creativity to shape how people and goods move in the future”; and
WHEREAS, on January 11, 2016, Columbus City Council passed Ordinance 0064-2016 supporting the City’s application to the Smart City Challenge; and
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2016, USDOT awarded the City of Columbus up to $40 million in federal funds and up to $10 million in matching funding from Vulcan to assist in implementation of the City’s proposal to demonstrate how advanced data and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies and applications that can be used to reduce congestion, keep travelers safe, protect the environment, respond to climate change, connect underserved communities, and support economic vitality; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1863-2017 authorized the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with USDOT, Vulcan, and others in connection with the award of the Smart City Challenge grant, the expenditure of those grant funds, and the acceptance and administration of contributions of materials, services, equipment, grants, or other assistance related to the Smart City Challenge according to the terms and conditions of those agreements; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 1901-2017 authorized the transfer of signature authority from the Director of Public Service to the Chief Innovation Officer or the Chief Innovation Officer's designee for all past, present and future Smart Columbus and Smart City Challenge contracts, documents, and projects; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Chief Innovation Officer to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Columbus Partnership, and the Ohio State University (OSU), or any combination of partners thereof, pertaining to the demonstration of self-driving vehicles in connection with the Smart City Challenge; and
WHEREAS, the expectation is said demonstration will be completed during the Smart City Challenge grant period, and
WHEREAS, subject to the adoption of future legislation, the City may purchase or lease self-driving vehicles and procure operating and maintenance services for that purpose, and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Smart City Program Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Chief Innovation Officer to execute the aforesaid MOU so as to prevent unnecessary delays in the Smart Columbus Program and to adhere to the terms and conditions of the Smart City Challenge grant agreements, 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 Chief Innovation Officer be and hereby is authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Columbus Partnership, and the Ohio State University, or any combination of partners thereof, pertaining to the demonstration of self-driving vehicles as part of the U.S Department of Transportation Smart City Challenge. The terms of the City's support of the demonstration of self-driving vehicles as part of the Smart City Challenge will be set forth in more detail in a subsequent agreement, which shall be subject to authorization by this Council.
SECTION 2. 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.