Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the issuance of a refund for the unexpended balance of funds deposited by IKE Smart City, LLC with the City to support the completion of the Downtown Streetscape - Short North SID - High Street Improvements Phase 2 project, part of a multi-phase effort culminating in various public infrastructure improvements to North High Street and adjacent streets. It also authorizes the refund of unexpended funds deposited by IKE Smart City, LLC with the City to support the completion of other phases of the Downtown Streetscape - Short North SID - High Street Improvements project if final accounting should determine a refund is required.
IKE Smart City, LLC (“IKE”) desired to install interactive kiosks, described as “a breakthrough citizen engagement platform that helps cities, business improvement districts and destination marketing organizations communicate with the public, encouraging a pedestrian-oriented environment, and tells the story of their city”, within the Short North Area, near the Convention Center, and at other locations in downtown Columbus.
The City, acting through the Department of Public Service, agreed to install, or to cause the installation of, that equipment as part of the Short North SID - High Street Improvements project, including up to 7 kiosks during the completion of Phase 2.
Ordinance 1952-2018 authorized the Director of Public Service to execute a reimbursement agreement, effective March 27, 2019, with IKE, pursuant to which IKE deposited $510,000.00 with the City to support the performance of construction and inspection services necessary to the installation and successful operation of the kiosks. Those funds were based upon estimates provided by the Department of Public Service to IKE and were allocated as follows:
· Downtown Streetscape - Short North SID - High Street Improvements Phase 2: $325,000.00
· Downtown Streetscape - Short North SID - High Street Improveme...
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