Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The following ordinance authorizes the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division to hire professional services and to negotiate with property owners to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Signals - Summit Street and Signals - Summit Street Phase 2 projects in the Italian Village Planning Area (47).
The Department of Public service is engaged in the Signals - Summit Street and Signals - Summit Street Phase 2 projects. The project will replace and upgrade the existing traffic signals to current standards along Summit Street from Warren Street to East 7th Avenue and Chittenden Avenue to Hudson Street.
The cost to acquire the right-of-way needed to complete the project is estimated at $150,000.00. If the cost to acquire the needed right-of-way should exceed this estimate, additional legislation will be submitted to Council requesting the needed funding.
The Department of Public service is currently finalizing construction plans and is prepared to authorize right-of-way acquisition pending passage of this funding legislation.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract is budgeted, available, and appropriated within Fund 2265, the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide necessary right-of-way acquisition funding and prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service's Capital Improvement Program to ensure the safety of the traveling public.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to contract for professional services relative to the acquisition of fee simple title and lesser interests in and to property needed for the Signals - Summit Street and Signals - Summit Street Phase 2 projects; to authorize the City Attorney's Office, Real Estate Division, to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way necessary to complete this project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $150,000.00 from the Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is engaged in the Signals - Summit Street and Signals - Summit Street Phase 2 projects; and
WHEREAS, the project will include replacing and upgrading the existing traffic signals along Summit Street to current standards; 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, right-of-way acquisition cost, including professional services, staff and land costs, have been estimated to total $150,000.00; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $150,000.00 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the City Attorney's Office Real Estate Division to expend $150,000.00, 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 Signals - Summit Street and Signals - Summit Street Phase 2 projects; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Attorney to acquire the necessary right-of-ways for the project to prevent unnecessary delays in the Department of Public Service's Capital Improvement Program, to ensure the safety of the traveling public 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 Signals - Summit Street and Signals - Summit Street Phase 2 projects in an amount up to $150,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2265 (Street Construction Maintenance and Repair Funds), Dept-Div 5913 (Traffic Management), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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.