Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Department of Public Service requests to establish a parking benefit district (PBD) in the Downtown per the requirements in Columbus City Code 2155.13. A PBD is one part of a parking management plan to improve parking availability and encourage the use of alternate forms of transportation within the defined area. The creation of a PBD will create a funding source to improve the neighborhood and enhance mobility options for residents, employees, and visitors to the area.
The Downtown PBD area is bounded on the north by the centerline of Interstate 670, bounded to the east by I-71, bounded to the south by I-70/I-71, and bounded to the west by the Olentangy River north of the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers to Interstate 670 and the Scioto River from the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers to I-70. Exempted from this area and not included in this designation is the area south of Interstate 670 bounded to the west by Park Street from Interstate 670 to Convention Center Drive (but not including any parking on Park Street along this boundary); bounded to the south by Convention Center Drive from Park Street to North Third Street (but not including any parking on Convention Center Drive along this boundary); bounded to the east by North Third Street from Convention Center Drive to Interstate 670 (but not including any parking on North Third Street along this boundary); and to the north by Interstate 670 from Park Street to North Third Street. Such boundaries are as shown on the attached Exhibit A.
One hundred percent (100%) of the revenue generated from single space and/or multi-space parking meters and/or mobile payment only parking zones, after financial obligations to the City’s general fund, administrative, reserve, and operational costs have been paid, will be disbursed to the PBD subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Public Service Director. Parking citation revenue, other revenue, and residential permit fees will not be included in this disbursement.
As part of the Downtown PBD and pursuant to 2018-2018, the Director of Public Service requests the City Auditor to create two (2) subfunds within the Parking Meter Fund to properly track and account for Downtown PBD revenues and expenditures. One subfund will be for daily operations of the Downtown PBD, and one will be for future reserve and capital needs.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
No immediate fiscal impact to the City. Some of the funds generated by the PBD will eventually be dispersed to the PBD.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to allow for the immediate creation of the Downtown PBD as it relates to revenue and expenses incurred in the Parking Benefit Districts (PBD).
Title
To establish the Downtown Parking Benefit District per the requirements of Columbus City Code Section 2155.13; to authorize the City Auditor to create new subfunds within the Parking Meter Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to establish appropriation in the Downtown Parking Benefit District Operating Subfund of $4,000,000.00; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer cash between subfunds within the Parking Meter Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to establish the Downtown PBD to improve parking availability and encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation within the defined area; and
WHEREAS, the creation of a PBD will create a funding source to improve the neighborhood and enhance mobility options for residents, employees, and visitors to the area; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown PBD area is bounded on the north by the centerline of Interstate 670, bounded to the east by I-71, bounded to the south by I-70/I-71, and bounded to the west by the Olentangy River north of the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers to Interstate 670 and the Scioto River from the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers to I-70. Exempted from this area and not included in this designation is the area south of Interstate 670 bounded to the west by Park Street from Interstate 670 to Convention Center Drive (but not including any parking on Park Street along this boundary); bounded to the south by Convention Center Drive from Park Street to North Third Street (but not including any parking on Convention Center Drive along this boundary); bounded to the east by North Third Street from Convention Center Drive to Interstate 670 (but not including any parking on North Third Street along this boundary); and to the north by Interstate 670 from Park Street to North Third Street, as shown on the attached Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, one hundred percent (100%) of the revenue generated from single space and/or multi-space parking meters and/or mobile payment only parking zones occurring in the Downtown PBD after financial obligations to the City’s general fund, administrative, reserve, and operational costs have been paid are designated to the Downtown PBD subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Public Service Director; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Downtown PBD and pursuant to 2018-2018, the Director of Public Service requests the City Auditor to create two (2) subfunds within the Parking Meter Fund to properly track and account for Downtown PBD revenues and expenditures. One subfund will be for daily operations of the Downtown PBD, and one will be for future reserve and capital needs; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for Council to authorize a transfer of funds between subfunds within the Parking Meter Fund to establish sufficient cash to pay for expenses of the Downtown PBD; and
WHEREAS, parking citation revenue, other revenue, and residential permit fees will not be included in this disbursement; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to establish the Downtown PBD for the efficient operation of the City and for the preservation of 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 Downtown Parking Benefit District is hereby established, as specfied in Columbus City Code Section 2155.13, and the boundaries shall be bounded on the north by the centerline of Interstate 670, bounded to the east by I-71, bounded to the south by I-70/I-71, and bounded to the west by the Olentangy River north of the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers to Interstate 670 and the Scioto River from the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers to I-70. Exempted from this area and not included in this designation is the area south of Interstate 670 bounded to the west by Park Street from Interstate 670 to Convention Center Drive (but not including any parking on Park Street along this boundary); bounded to the south by Convention Center Drive from Park Street to North Third Street (but not including any parking on Convention Center Drive along this boundary); bounded to the east by North Third Street from Convention Center Drive to Interstate 670 (but not including any parking on North Third Street along this boundary); and to the north by Interstate 670 from Park Street to North Third Street. Such boundaries are as shown in the attached Exhibit A.
SECTION 2. That revenue generated from single space and/or multi-space parking meters and/or mobile payment only parking zones occurring in this Parking Benefit District are hereby designated to the Downtown Parking Benefit District Operating Subfund after financial obligations to the General Fund, administrative, reserve, and operational expenses.
SECTION 3. That 100% of the revenues generated, after financial obligations to the General Fund, administrative, reserve, and operational expenses will be disbursed to the Downtown Parking Benefit District subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Public Service Director.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to create new subfunds within the Parking Meter Fund and to establish appropriation in the Downtown PBD Operating Subfund of $4,000,000.00 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That the expenses will not exceed the cash on hand within each subfund.
SECTION 6. That the transfer of $500,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer cash between subfunds within the Parking Meter Fund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. 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 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 passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.