Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The following ordinance authorizes additional funding to acquire the various property rights necessary to complete the Roadway Improvements-Sinclair Road Sidewalks in Community Planning Area 35, Northland.
The City of Columbus Department of Public Service is engaged in the Roadway Improvement-Sinclair Road Sidewalks project. This project consists of the construction of a seven-foot wide new sidewalk adjacent to the existing curb along both sides of Sinclair Road from Morse Road to just south of Bill Moose Run. A five-foot wide new sidewalk with a three-foot wide tree lawn within the limits of the previous culvert replacement project will also be included in the project. Additionally, a five-foot wide sidewalk will extend from just north of Bill Moose Run to a point north at the Strimple Avenue and Sinclair Road intersection. The improvements also involve traffic signal updates at Strimple Avenue and Sinclair Road.
Ordinance 1849-2018 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 Roadway Improvements-Sinclair Road Sidewalks project. Funding in the amount of $125,000.00 was established to begin acquiring the needed property rights. This ordinance is for additional funding in the amount of $50,000 to acquire right of way needed for the new sidewalk installation.
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 in the amount of $50,000.00 is available for this project in the Morse Road TIF Fund, Fund 7414. It is necessary to transfer cash between project accounts within Fund 7414 from the Morse Road TIF project account to the Roadway Improvements - Sinclair Road Sidewalks project account to align spending in the proper project. Funds will also need to be appropriated and authorized for expenditure after transferring to the proper project.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to provide necessary right-of-way acquisition funding and prevent unnecessary delays to improving pedestrian safety within the Department of Public Service’s Programs.
Title
To authorize the transfer of cash within the Morse Road TIF Fund; to appropriate funds within the Roadway Improvements - Sinclair Road Sidewalks; 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 project; 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 $50,000.00 from the Morse Road TIF Fund to pay for the right-of-way acquisitions; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus Department of Public Service is engaged in the Roadway Improvements-Sinclair Road Sidewalks project; and
WHEREAS, this project will construct sidewalks on both sides of Sinclair Road between Morse Road and Strimple Avenue and includes traffic signal updates, the replacement of an existing culvert, and the addition of storm sewers to remediate roadway flooding in the area; and
WHEREAS, successful completion of this project necessitates the city to 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 1849-2018 previously established funding for the acquisition of rights of way in the amount of $125,000.00 for this project; and
WHEREAS, additional right-of-way acquisition costs, including professional services, staff and land costs, have been estimated to total $50,000.00; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the City Attorney Office's Real Estate Division to expend an additional $50,000.00, 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 Roadway Improvements-Sinclair Road Sidewalks project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the transfer and appropriation of $50,000.00 within the Morse Road TIF Fund, Fund 7414; 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’s Office, Real Estate Division, on behalf of the Department of Public Service, to acquire additional fee simple title and lesser interest in and to certain parcels of real estate, to contract for professional services, and to negotiate with property owners for additional rights of way needed to complete the project without delay to improve pedestrian safety, 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 transfer of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7414 (Morse Road TIF Fund) from Dept-Div 4402 (Economic Development), P414001-100000 (Morse Road TIF), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P530161-100153 (Roadway Improvements - Sinclair Road Sidewalks), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the sum of $50,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 7414 (Morse Road TIF Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P530161-100153 (Roadway Improvements - Sinclair Road Sidewalks), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 Roadway Improvements-Sinclair Road Sidewalks project.
SECTION 4. That for the purposes stated herein, the expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7414 (Morse Road TIF Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P530161-100153 (Roadway Improvements - Sinclair Road Sidewalks), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures, and transfers are authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance, 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. 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.