Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
The Department of Public Service, Division of Design and Construction, is engaged in the Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System (CTSS) Phase E project which is installing a new fiber-optic cable communication infrastructure to communicate to a new central traffic signal system that uses an open architecture. This will allow the city to choose among multiple vendors for some of the commodities related to the Traffic Signal System and ideally receive better pricing for needed materials.
In the course of affecting the Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System (CTSS) Phase E project, it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements. These relocations are in areas where the city has previously allowed utilities, but due to this project there is a need to relocate them at the city's expense. Utility relocation estimates are normally included in the budget for each project, but occasionally estimates are insufficient and not always in the city's control. This legislation provides a source of funding of $360,000.00 for utility relocations, some of which are yet to be named, in order to provide for quick turnaround of these relocations once the utility and project are determined. The utility relocation work includes design, review, and associated utility pole modification, replacement, or other required work to accommodate the Columbus Traffic Signal System (CTSS) fiber optic.
To date, American Electric Power, AT&T, and the Department of Public Utilities, Division of Power have been designated as utilities needing to relocate facilities. City Council recognizes this ordinance does not identify all of the utilities that will receive the reimbursements and understands that its passage will give the Director of Public Service the final decision in determination for such contract(s). This council is satisfied it is in the best interests of the city to delegate this contracting decision.
The $360,000.00 requested for this work is an estimate. Legislation requesting additional funds will be submitted for Council’s approval if the estimate should be short of the actual expenses.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds in the amount of $360,000.00 are available within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, of the Department of Public Service’s Capital Improvement Budget. An amendment to the Capital Improvement Budget and a transfer of funds are necessary to align budget authority and cash with the proper project.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide funding for utility reimbursements at the earliest possible time, as the utility work will need to start by August 2018 so project construction can begin on time.
Title
To amend the 2018 Capital Improvement budget; to authorize the transfer of funds within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to reimburse various utilities for utility relocation costs incurred in conjunction with the Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System Phase E project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $360,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bonds Fund to pay for the utility relocation costs; and to declare an emergency. ($360,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is vitally concerned with the use of the various rights-of-way areas in the city as such rights-of-way areas represent a valuable and limited resource that must be utilized to promote the public health, safety and welfare including the economic development of the city; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for utility relocation expenses for the Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System Phase E project in order to provide for quick turnaround of utility relocation work; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $360,000.00 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to the 2018 Capital Improvement Budget and a transfer of cash within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund are necessary to align budget authority and cash with the proper project; 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 reimburse utilities for utility relocation expenses at the earliest possible time to prevent project construction delays, 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 2018 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1010-2018 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /C.I.B. as Amended
7704 / P590910-100002 / SciTech-OSU research park envir. (Voted Carryover) / $500,001.00 / (360,000.00) / $140,001.00
7704 / P540007-100012 / Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System Phase E (Voted Carryover) / $0.00 / $360,000.00 / $360,000.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $360,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P590910-100002 (SciTech-OSU research park envir.), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P540007-100012 (Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System Phase E), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to pay utility relocation costs to various utilities for the Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System Phase E project.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $360,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P540007-100012 (Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System Phase E), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this Council recognizes that this ordinance does not identify all of the utilities that will receive the reimbursements and understands that its passage will give the Director of Public Service the final decision in determination for such contract(s) as it is in the best interests of the City to delegate this contracting decision.
SECTION 6. That the funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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.