Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes additional funding for construction administration and inspection for the Roadway Improvements - I70/I71 corridor projects in an amount up to $50,000.00.
The I70 and I71 corridor improvements in Downtown Columbus will reduce the number of entrance/exit ramps from nineteen to thirteen on this 1.5-mile stretch of highway, while introducing new collector-distributer urban avenue roadways, such as Mound Street, Fulton Street, Lester Drive and Elijah Pierce, into and out of the Downtown area. The finished project will reconstruct these roadways including granite curb, brick crosswalks, new traffic signals, lighting, sidewalks, street trees, and other enhancements, helping reconnect neighborhoods to Downtown, promoting economic development opportunities along the corridor and within surrounding neighborhoods, and providing a safer transportation environment for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
The work for these projects is being performed under agreements with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). As part of the agreements, the City is providing a local share match of the needed construction funding and is providing construction administration and inspection services for the work. Funding for construction administration and inspection services is typically provided when the City contributes its local match share to ODOT for the construction work. The amount provided for these services is an estimated amount, using a percentage of the construction cost as the basis for the estimate. Sometimes the funding provided is insufficient to complete the work as weather delays, unforeseen conditions, etc., can cause inspection costs to exceed the estimate. It is then necessary to provide additional inspection funds to align funding with the anticipated extra costs. The requested funding will be used across all phases of the I70 and I71corridor projects to prevent shortages in the inspection accounts.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
This is a budgeted expense within the Department of Public Service’s Capital Improvement Budget. Funding is available within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, Project P530161-100097 (Roadway Improvements - I70/I71 East Interchange Phase 2C).
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to maintain the schedule established by ODOT for the completion of the Roadway Improvements - I70/I71 corridor projects.
Title
To authorize the Auditor’s Office to establish an auditor’s certificate in the amount of $50,000.00 to fund construction administration and inspection costs associated with the Roadway Improvements - I70/I71 corridor projects; to authorize the expenditure of up to $50,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund for this purpose; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, ODOT and the City are engaged in the Roadway Improvements - I70/I71 corridor projects; and
WHEREAS, the City is to provide construction administration and inspection services for the projects; and
WHEREAS, the initial estimate of funding needed for construction administration and inspection for these projects is insufficient to allow construction to be completed, requiring additional funding to be provided; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to provide additional funding for construction administration and inspection to maintain the schedule established by ODOT for the completion of the Roadway Improvements - I70/I71 corridor projects, thereby preserving the public health, peace, safety, and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Auditor’s Office is authorized to establish an ACDI in the amount of $50,000.00 to be used by the Department of Public Service to fund construction administration and inspection costs associated with the Roadway Improvements - I70/I71 corridor projects.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $50,000.00, 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 P530161-100097 (Roadway Improvements - I70/I71 East Interchange Phase 2C), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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.