Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with Norfolk Southern Railway Company, CSX Transportation, Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., and other railroad companies as needed, relative to the Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System (CTSS) Phase D project.
The aforementioned project will continue the migration of the existing central traffic signal control system to an open architecture utilizing the fiber-optic cable infrastructure installed in earlier phases of the CTSS project. The project limits include but are not limited to the northern half of Franklin County, with 110 miles of fiber-optic cable to be installed to connect approximately 265 traffic signals. In the course of effecting roadway improvements it is necessary to contract with any railroads involved to perform railroad right-of-way improvements. The scope of work for this project necessitates that the Department of Public Service contract with Norfolk Southern Railway Company, CSX Transportation, Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., and other railroad companies as needed, for work to be performed on or near their railroad facilities for this project. Work to be performed by the railroads includes review and approval of engineering plans, design plans, construction specifications, and drawings, and other documents necessary to the completion of the project in order to identify and mitigate potential conflicts between rail operations and public infrastructure in proximity to railway corridors.
The funding request for the aforementioned railroad right-of-way improvements work is based upon estimates from the railroads. The railroads will invoice the City for actual costs incurred in performing the improvements. The amount needed may exceed the amount requested in this ordinance. Additional legislation will be submitted by the Department of Public Service if funds needed to complete the relocations exceed the estimates.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $15,000.00 is available for this project within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, within the Department of Public Service. An amendment to the 2018 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested in order to facilitate the timely execution of the requisite agreements so as to allow the aforementioned project to proceed without delay.
Title
To amend the 2018 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with Norfolk Southern Railway Company, CSX Transportation, and Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., and other railroad companies as needed, relative to the Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System (CTSS) Phase D project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $15,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund for this project; and to declare an emergency. ($15,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is engaged in the Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System (CTSS) Phase D project, which will continue the migration of Columbus’ traffic signals to a new traffic control system; and
WHEREAS, that project requires cooperation from Norfolk Southern Railway Company, CSX Transportation, and Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., which each operate within the project limits; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to execute agreements authorizing those entities, and other railroad companies as needed, to review and approve engineering and design plans, construction specifications and drawings, and other documents necessary to the completion of the CTSS Phase D project in order to identify and mitigate potential conflicts between rail operations and public infrastructure in proximity to railway corridors; and
WHEREAS, the estimated cost of those services is $15,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2018 Capital Improvement Budget for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the project expenditure; 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 execution of the aforementioned agreements so as to allow the project to proceed without delay, 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 Improvement Budget authorized by Ordinance 1010-2018 be and hereby is amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project expenditure:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / Amended
7704 / P540007-100012 / Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System Phase E (Voted 2016 Debt SIT Supported) / $900,000.00 / ($15,000.00) / $885,000.00
7704 / P540007-100006 / Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System Phase D (Voted 2016 Debt SIT Supported) / $0.00 / $15,000.00 / $15,000.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to execute agreements with Norfolk Southern Railway Company, CSX Transportation, Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., and other railroad companies as needed, for the purpose of authorizing those entities to review and approve engineering and design plans, construction specifications and drawings, and other documents necessary to the completion of the Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System (CTSS) Phase D project.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $15,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5913 (Division of Traffic Management), Project P540007-100006 (Traffic Signal Installation - Columbus Traffic Signal System Phase D), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this Ordinance.