Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to modify and increase the payment funding for utility relocation work as needed by AT&T, American Electric Power, Columbia Gas of Ohio, and other utilities (or companies hired by utilities to perform utility relocation work) for the Intersection Improvements - Hilliard Rome Road at Feder Road (FRA CR03 12.96 PID 98557) project in an amount up to $384,000.00.
The Department of Public Service is engaged in the Intersection Improvements-Hilliard Rome Road at Feder Road project. The project consist of the widening and resurfacing of Hilliard Rome Road, Feder Road, and Fisher Roads, adding turn lanes at the intersection of Hilliard Rome Road and Feder Road, along with the installation of sidewalk, ADA curb ramps, a storm water basin, new storm sewer, curbs and gutters, street lighting, and a mast arm traffic signal at Hilliard Rome Road and Feder Road.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements, it is sometimes necessary to force the relocation of utilities from privately held easements or place overhead utilities underground to promote the public health, safety and welfare, including the economic development of the City. It is necessary to move utilities to complete this project. Ordinance 3157-2019 authorized the Director of Public Service to pay for utility relocation work as needed by AT&T and other utilities (or companies hired by utilities to perform utility relocation work) for this project in an amount up to $440,000.00. The funding request for utility relocation reimbursements is based upon estimates from the utilities. The utilities invoice the City for actual costs incurred in relocating the utilities. It was stated in Ordinance 3157-2019 that the amount needed may exceed the amount requested in the ordinance and additional legislation would be submitted by the Department of Public Service if more funding should be needed to complete the relocations.
Additional funding in the amount of $384,000 is estimated to be needed to complete the utility relocations for this project. The amount needed may exceed the amount authorized by this ordinance. If this estimate should be short of the amount required to complete the relocations, an additional ordinance will be submitted for City Council approval to complete the relocations.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated cost to complete the utility relocation work is $384,000.00. The work is partially funded by a reimbursement grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) that has a 30/70 funding split of eligible costs, with OPWC providing the 30%. Grant G591907 (Hilliard-Rome at Feder DCW02), Fund 7763 (Transportation Grants Fund) was established for this grant. $115,200.00 will need to be appropriated within the grant for this expense. The $268,800.00 needed for the City share is available within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, Project P530086-100027 (Intersection Improvements-Hilliard Rome Road at Feder Road).
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency designation is requested to provide funding for utility reimbursements at the earliest possible time to maintain the project construction schedule.
Title
To appropriate funds within the Transportation Grant Fund; to authorize the Director of Public Service to pay utility relocation costs for the Intersection Improvements-Hilliard Rome Road at Feder Road project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $384,000.00 from the Transportation Grant Fund and the Streets and Highways Bond Fund for these utility relocations; and to declare an emergency. ($384,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is concerned with the use of the various rights-of-way areas in the City as such rights-of-way areas represent a valuable and limited resource that must be utilized to promote the public health, safety and welfare including the economic development of the City; and
WHEREAS, utility relocations must be completed before construction can begin; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service requires funding to be available for utility relocation expenses for the Intersection Improvements-Hilliard Rome Road at Feder Road project; and
WHEREAS, Council approved $440,000.00 to be used for utility relocation for this project with Ordinance 3157-2019; and
WHEREAS, that amount was an estimate given by the utilities and additional funding is required to complete the utility relocations; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes additional funding in the amount of up to $384,000.00 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate funds within the Transportation Grant Fund, Fund 7763; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to expend funds to pay for the utility relocations; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize payment for utility relocation expenses to prevent construction delays, 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 from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources unappropriated for any other purpose during the period ending December 31, 2021, the sum of $115,200.00 is appropriated in Fund 7763 (Transportation Grants Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Grant G591907 (Hilliard-Rome at Feder DCW02), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to reimburse utilities for utility relocation work, or to reimburse companies hired by the utilities to perform utility relocation work, for the Intersection Improvements-Hilliard Rome Road at Feder Road project.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $115,200.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7763 (Transportation Grants Fund), in Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Grant G591907 (Hilliard-Rome at Feder DCW02), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $268,800.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), in Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P530086-100027 (Intersection Improvements-Hilliard Rome Road at Feder Road), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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 8. For the reasons stated in this preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and is effective and in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after its passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this ordinance.