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 Pedestrian Safety - Courtright Road Sidewalks - Refugee Road to Groves Road project in the Mid East Planning Area (57).
The Department of Public service is engaged in the Pedestrian Safety - Courtright Road Sidewalks - Refugee Road to Groves Road project. The project includes the construction of sidewalks along both sides of Courtright Road from Refugee Road to Groves Road. Sidewalk installation will include curb ramps, drive approaches, concrete curb, storm sewers, and catch basins.
The cost to acquire the right-of-way needed to complete the project is estimated at $120,000.00. 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
Funds in the amount of $120,000.00 are available for this project in Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund. An amendment to the 2021 Capital Improvements Budget and a transfer of cash is necessary for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure. Funds are appropriated.
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 amend the 2021 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds and appropriation between projects within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; to authorize the City Attorney's Office to contract for professional services relative to the acquisition of fee simple title and lesser interests in and to property needed for the Pedestrian Safety - Courtright Road Sidewalks - Refugee Road to Groves Road project; to authorize the City Attorney's Office to negotiate with property owners to acquire the additional rights of way necessary to complete this project; to authorize the expenditure of $120,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($120,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is engaged in the Pedestrian Safety - Courtright Road Sidewalks - Refugee Road to Groves Road project; and
WHEREAS, the project will include the construction of sidewalks along both sides of Courtright Road from Refugee Road to Groves Road; 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 $120,000.00; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes funding in the amount of $120,000.00 for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an amendment to the 2021 Capital Improvements Budget for the purpose of providing sufficient spending authority for the aforementioned project expenditure; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of funds within Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, to establish sufficient cash to pay for the project; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the City Attorney's Office Real Estate Division to expend $120,000.00, 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 Pedestrian Safety - Courtright Road Sidewalks - Refugee Road project; 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 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 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 2021 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 2707-2021 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /C.I.B. as Amended
7704 / P590955-920030 / CelebrateOne Sidewalk - Hilltop (Springmont) (Voted Carryover) / $162,000.00 / ($120,000.00) / $42,000.00
7704 / P590105-100448 / Pedestrian Safety - Courtright Rd Sidewalks - Refugee Rd to Groves Rd (Voted Carryover) / $415,260.00 / $120,000.00 / $535,260.00
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $120,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), from Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P590955-920030 (CelebrateOne Sidewalk - Hilltop (Springmont)), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P590105-100448 (Pedestrian Safety - Courtright Rd Sidewalks - Refugee Rd to Groves Rd), 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 Pedestrian Safety - Courtright Road Sidewalks - Refugee Road to Groves Road project in an amount up to $120,000.00.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $120,000.00, 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 Project P590105-100448 (Pedestrian Safety - Courtright Rd Sidewalks - Refugee Rd to Groves Rd), 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 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.