Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department to enter into an agreement with the Franklin County Engineers Office to contribute funds for trail improvements to the Dublin/Granville Road Bridge over Rocky Fork Creek.
The Franklin County Engineers (FCOE) is replacing the Dublin/Granville Road Bridge over Rocky Fork Creek in the city’s Far Northeast area. As part of the development of this project, Recreation and Parks, along with the City of New Albany, approached FCOE about the opportunity to add a bike/ped deck widening to the new bridge to provide for trail connectivity to the Central Ohio Greenways system. The County has agreed to design and construct this improvement, and Recreation and Parks and New Albany have agreed to share in splitting the costs of providing this bike/ped addition. This addition will build a 10’ wide separated trail space for pedestrians and cyclists.
This improvement will put in place a significant east/west trail route from the Hamilton Road/161 corridor to the downtown of New Albany. These residents will gain connectivity to the Rocky Fork Trail, two parks and natural areas, as well the rapidly developing retail and office employment centers along North Hamilton Road.
Principal Parties:
Franklin County Engineer’s Office
970 Dublin Road
Columbus, OH 43215
Benefits to the Public: The Rocky Fork Greenway is one of the major trail routes being planned and constructed in Central Ohio. The Rocky Fork/Blacklick Community is one of the fastest growing areas in Columbus, and the area has little trail development or completed path routes. One of the most difficult challenges of providing walking and biking connectivity to this large segment of residents is stream crossings such as Rocky Fork. By combining resources with the County’s project and with New Albany, a substantial linkage can be built at a significant savings in costs. Once in place, the city can finish a short section of path to the Hamilton Road shared use path, as well as a future connection to Blendon Woods Metropark and Big Walnut Trail.
Community Input Issues: The Rocky Fork/Blacklick community has been active in encouraging path construction in their rapidly growing neighborhoods, both in public meetings and homeowner association support. In 2019 a trail connector was built from Thompson Park to the Albany Park subdivision (Columbus) putting this neighborhood within a very short distance of the Rocky Fork bridge and future east/west connections.
Area(s) Affected: Community 33-Rocky Fork/Blacklick
Master Plan Relation: This project will support the mission of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan by improving access to trails and greenways corridors. Provide safe connections for nearby neighborhoods to the regional trail network.
Fiscal Impact: $95,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Recreation and Parks Voted Bond Fund 7702 to meet the financial obligations of this contribution.
Title
To authorize the Director of Recreation and Parks Department to enter into an agreement with the Franklin County Engineers Office to contribute funds for trail improvements to the Dublin/Granville Road bridge over Rocky Fork Creek; to authorize the transfer of $95,000.00 between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund; to amend the 2019 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1326-2019; to authorize the expenditure of $95,000.00 from the Voted Bond Fund. ($95,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Rocky Fork/Blacklick community has been encouraging path construction in their rapidly growing neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the Department desires to provide safe connections for nearby neighborhoods to the regional trail network; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer of $95,000.00 between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2019 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1326-2019; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure $95,000.00 from the Voted Bond Fund 7702; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks to authorize the Director to enter into an agreement with the Franklin County Engineer's Office in order to contribute funds for trail improvements to the Dublin/Granville Road bridge over Rocky Fork Creek; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Recreation and Parks Department is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Franklin County Engineers Office to contribute funds for trail improvements to the Dublin/Granville Road bridge over Rocky Fork Creek.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. 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 5. That the transfer of $95,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within the Recreation and Parks Bond Fund 7702 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the 2019 Capital Improvements Budget Ordinance 1326-2019 is hereby amended as follows in order to provide sufficient budget authority for this ordinance and future projects.
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change / Amended
Fund 7702; P510306-100001; Olentangy Trail - Henderson Road Ramp (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $4,645 / $4,645 (to match cash)
Fund 7702; P510316-100000; Greenways Projects (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $12,000 / $12,000 (to match cash)
Fund 7702; P510306-100001; Olentangy Trail - Henderson Road Ramp (Voted Carryover) / $4,645 / ($4,645) / $0
Fund 7702; P510316-100000; Greenways Projects (Voted Carryover) / $12,000 / ($12,000) / $0
Fund 7702; P512000-100000; New Development - Misc. (SIT Supported) / $1,996,949 / ($78,355) / $1,918,594
Fund 7702; P512016-100000; Rocky Fork Trail - Dublin Granville Road Bridge (Voted Carryover) / $0 / $16,645 / $16,645
Fund 7702; P512016-100000; Rocky Fork Trail - Dublin Granville Road Bridge (SIT Supported) / $0 / $78,355 / $78,355
SECTION 7. That, for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $95,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from the Voted Bond Fund 7702 in object class 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 8. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.