Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) accepts applications twice a year to fund projects using Highway Safety Improvement Program funds. The Safety Program Committee is accepting applications until September 30, 2018. All project costs are eligible for safety funding except for construction inspection costs. These grants require a 10% local match.
The Department of Public Service is preparing applications seeking funds for intersection safety improvements at (1) the intersection of James Road and Broad Street, and (2) the intersection of High Street and Obetz Road. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has ranked both intersections in its annual Top 100 Regional High Crash Intersections. Traffic studies were performed, which identified recommendations to improve safety at both intersections.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications and to execute project agreements for approved projects, to accept and expend grant funds, and to 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 projects:
Intersection Improvements - Broad Street at James Road: MORPC has ranked this intersection number 2 on its Top 100 Regional High Crash Intersections (2014-2016). There were 205 crashes there between 2014 and 2016. Proposed countermeasures at the intersection would include the following: (1) constructing dual southbound left-turn lanes, providing protected-only southbound left-turn phasing, and removing negative offset for northbound left-turn lane; (2) constructing northbound and southbound exclusive right-turn lanes; (3) reconstructing the existing signal and installing signal backplates to improve signal head visibility; (4) modifying signal timings to reduce backups and stops on James Road approaches; and (5) installing advanced street name signs along the southbound approach. Total project costs are currently estimated at $4,128,933.77, of which $3,861,000.00 are eligible for safety funding. Public Service would request $3,474,900.00 (90% of eligible costs), with a 10% local match of $386,100.00.
Intersection Improvements - High Street at Obetz Road: MORPC has ranked this intersection number 50 on its Top 100 Regional High Crash Intersections (2014-2016). There were 69 crashes there between 2014 and 2016. Proposed countermeasures at the intersection would include the following: (1) reconstructing the existing signal and installing backplates; (2) constructing dual southbound left-turn lanes; (3) implementing protected-only left-turn phases on High Street; and (4) providing northbound and southbound right-turn overlap phases. Total project costs are currently estimated at $2,012,716.86, of which $1,885,000.00 are eligible for safety funding. Public Service would request $1,696,500.00 (90% of eligible costs), with a 10% local match of $188,500.00.
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 in the future.
4. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to facilitate the preparation, submission, and receipt of the aforesaid grant applications by the stated deadline.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service, on behalf of the City of Columbus, to submit applications to and execute grant agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation relative to the Highway Safety Improvement Program, to accept and expend awarded grant funds, and 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 (ODOT) is accepting applications for Highway Safety Improvement Program funds; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is preparing applications seeking funds for intersection safety improvements at (1) the intersection of James Road and Broad Street, and (2) the intersection of High Street and Obetz Road; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications to and execute grant agreements with ODOT, to accept and expend awarded grant funds, and to issue refunds, if necessary, after final accounting for approved projects has been completed; 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 submission and execution of the aforestated documents so that funding can be made available for requisite design and construction services necessary for the completion of the aforementioned capital improvement projects, 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, on behalf of the City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, to submit applications to and execute grant agreements and other related documents with the Ohio Department of Transportation relative to the Highway Safety Improvement Program; and to accept and expend awarded grant funds.
Section 2. 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 those funds 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.