Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The following ordinance authorizes additional funding to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks program.
The Department of Public Service is engaged in projects to construct sidewalks under the Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks program. This program constructs sidewalks in various locations throughout the City to improve safety for those that walk to and from school. Work includes the installation of sidewalks, curb ramps, drive approaches, curb, and retaining walls, and may include stormwater drainage improvements in select areas.
Ordinance 0134-2020 authorized the City Attorney’s Office to hire professional services and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks program. Funding in the amount of $250,000.00 was established to begin acquiring the needed property rights. This ordinance requests an additional $240,000.00 that is estimated to be needed to complete acquisition for this project.
The Department of Public Service is currently finalizing construction plans and is prepared to authorize right-of-way acquisition pending passage of this funding ordinance.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $240,000.00 are budgeted, appropriated, and available for this project in Fund 7704, the Streets & Highways Bond Fund, Project P590955-100056 (Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks (2018)).
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide additional right-of-way acquisition funding to prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service's Capital Improvement Program.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney's Office to contract for professional services, to negotiate with property owners, and to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to property needed for the Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks program; to authorize the expenditure of up to $240,000.00 from the Streets & Highways Bond Fund for the program; and to declare an emergency. ($240,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is engaged in the Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks program; and
WHEREAS, the project will construct sidewalks along various locations identified in support of the Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks program. Installation of sidewalks will include curb ramps, drive approaches, curb, and retaining walls, and may include stormwater drainage improvements in select areas; and
WHEREAS, successful completion of this project necessitates the City acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to various properties located along the project corridor as additional rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 0134-2020 authorized the City Attorney's Office to expend up to $250,000.00 to hire professional services and to negotiate with property owners to begin acquisition of the various property rights necessary to complete the Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks program; and
WHEREAS, the $250,000.00 was an amount established to begin acquisition and additional acquisition funds are needed; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to expend an additional $240,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to hire professional services and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize additional funding for right-of-way acquisition for the project to prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service's Capital Improvement Program, 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 the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, be, and hereby is, authorized to acquire fee simple title and lesser interests in and to certain parcels of real estate, to contract for professional services, and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way needed to complete the Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks program in an amount up to $240,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $195,304.21, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets & Highways Bond Fund) in Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P590955-100056 (Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks (2018)), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $44,695.79, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets & Highways Bond Fund) in Dept-Div 5911 (Infrastructure Management), Project P590955-100056 (Operation Sidewalks - School Sidewalks (2018)), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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 7. 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.