Explanation
Background: This ordinance will authorize the City Auditor to establish a certificate in the amount of $100,000.00 for various expenditures for labor, material and equipment in conjunction with greenways trail system improvements managed by the Recreation and Parks Department. Improvements to the regional greenways trail system will include, but are not limited to, the Alum Creek Trail, Big Walnut Trail, Blacklick Creek Trail, Camp Chase Trail, Darby Creek Trail, Downtown Connector Trail, Olentangy Trail, and Scioto Trail. These are unanticipated expenditures that may include, but are not limited to, items such as site clearing, surveys, design, land acquisition, lighting, fencing, hard surfaces, drainage, signage, emergency repairs, and staff time. Contracts will be entered into in compliance with the procurement provisions of the Columbus City Codes Chapter 329.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to ensure that needed improvements are not delayed. Emergency action will allow safety issues that arise to be addressed in a timely manner and help keep the impact on trail access to a minimum.
Benefits to the Public: Having this funding in place for unanticipated needs as they arise will benefit the community by helping to ensure that the regional greenways trail system remains accessible, safe, updated, and user friendly, keeping the impact on trail users to a minimum when unforeseen issues arise.
Community Input Issues: Many issues that this funding helps to address come straight from the community, through 311 and direct contact with the department. The community has expressed the desire for improved multi-use trails and well maintained amenities.
Area(s) Affected: The entire City of Columbus and beyond is affected by having the funding in place to act efficiently on issues that arise throughout the regional greenways trail system.
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by helping to ensure that multi-use trails remain accessible, safe, updated, and user friendly.
Fiscal Impact: $100,000.00 is budgeted and available from and within the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of these various expenditures.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to establish a certificate in the amount of $100,000.00 for various expenditures for labor, material and equipment in conjunction with greenways trails system improvements within the Recreation and Parks Department; to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary that the City Auditor establish a certificate in the amount of $100,000.00 for labor, material and equipment in conjunction with greenways trails system improvements within the Recreation and Parks Department; and
WHEREAS, funding is available for these improvements from and within the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Recreation and Parks Department to authorize the expenditure of $100,000.00 from the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund for various expenditures in conjunction with greenways trail system improvements so that needed improvements and expenditures are not delayed for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare; and, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is authorized to establish a certificate in the amount of $100,000.00 for the purchase of labor, materials, and equipment in conjunction with various greenways trail system improvements within the Recreation and Parks Department.
SECTION 2. That contracts will be entered into in compliance with the relevant procurement provisions of the Columbus City Codes Chapter 329.
SECTION 3. 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 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 the expenditure of $100,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment
SECTION 7. That this Council hereby recognizes that this ordinance does not identify specific contractors or vendors for the expenditure purposes authorized herein and hereby delegates sole and final contracting decisions relative to the determination of lowest, best, most responsive and most responsible vendor(s) to the Director of Recreation and Parks and/or the Director of Finance and Management.
SECTION 8. 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.