Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will be accepting applications for MORPC Attributable Funding through September 28, 2022. This is an opportunity for the City to secure outside funding for various roadway improvement projects. MORPC has approximately $125.9 million to distribute to all applicants for new projects from 2024 through 2029.
MORPC Attributable Funds are composed of three federally funded programs: The Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG); the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program (CMAQ). MORPC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects.
In addition to funding applications for projects not previously submitted, MORPC requests the City "reauthorize" projects submitted prior to 2022 to reaffirm the City's continuing commitment to those projects.
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to submit applications, update past projects and execute project agreements for approved projects. Specific projects for which applications will likely be submitted are listed within the body of this ordinance.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
The MORPC Attributable Funding can fund up to eighty percent (80%) of total right-of-way and construction expenses. Preliminary engineering and design expenses are not eligible for funding, except in certain situation. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be expended within design and/or construction contracts that will be submitted to City Council at a later time.
3. EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION
Emergency action is requested to provide the Department of Public Service with the authorization to proceed with an application prior to the application period’s end.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to submit MORPC Attributable Funds roadway improvement project applications for consideration for funding within the Transportation Improvement Program; to authorize the Director of Public Service to execute project agreements for approved projects for the Department of Public Service; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will be accepting MORPC Attributable Funding applications through September 28,2022; and
WHEREAS, this is an opportunity for the City to secure outside funding for various roadway improvement projects; and
WHEREAS, MORPC requires that a designated official be authorized to submit said applications and execute project agreements for approved projects; and
WHEREAS, MORPC requests that the City "reauthorize" projects submitted prior to 2020 to reaffirm the City's continuing commitment;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to prepare and submit the aforesaid grant application prior to the end of the application period, for the public health, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to submit roadway improvement project applications to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for consideration for funding within the Transportation Improvement Program and/or its component sub-programs, the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG); the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program (CMAQ) and that City Council hereby endorses applications for the following projects:
Projects currently on the TIP that require an update application:
• Cassady Ave from CSX Railroad to north of E 7th Ave, Minor Widening, from 2 lanes to 3 lanes, Intersection Modification. Anticipated construction in 2024. Total project cost estimate is approximately $12,860,940, and the current attributable funding request is approximately $9,467,093.
• E Broad St from I-270/Taylor Station Road to Outerbelt St, Major widening (adding through lanes), from 5 lanes to 7 lanes, Intersection Modification. Anticipated construction in 2024. Total project cost estimate is approximately $22,104,104, and the current attributable funding request is approximately $11,975,596.
• Brice Road, from Chantry Drive to south of Channingway Boulevard. This project is part of ODOT’s Far East Freeway Study. Anticipated construction in 2024. Total project cost estimate is approximately $98,705,369. The project will be funded primarily by ODOT. The total attributable funding request is approximately $15,000,000.
• Concrete Bus Pad Upgrades, Reconstruction, from NA lanes to NA lanes. Anticipated Construction in 2024. Total project cost estimate is approximately $1,553,644; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $1,068,399.
• SR 161 at Huntley Road/Sinclair Road, Signalization. Anticipated construction in 2023. Total project cost estimate is approximately $790,027; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $701,668.
• SR-161 at Parkville/Spring Run, Intersection Modification. Anticipated construction in 2023. Total project cost estimate is approximately $10,609,146; and the current attributable funding request is approximately $1,127,170.
• Dublin-Granville Road (SR-161), from Ambleside Drive to Maple Canyon Avenue. Anticipated construction in 2026. Total project cost estimate is approximately $21,186,408. The total attributable funding request is approximately $13,403,607.
• Sancus Boulevard, from Worthington Woods Boulevard to Lazelle Road. Anticipated construction in 2027. Total project cost estimate is approximately $16,678,965; and total attributable funding request is approximately $10,034,556.
• Downtown Signals, Rich Street Signal Replacements. Anticipated construction in 2025. Total project cost estimate is approximately $2,880,412. The total attributable funding request is approximately $2,080,329.
• I-70/I-71 Innerbelt - Phases 2D & 3, Major widening (adding through lanes), Interchange Modification. The current total cost estimate for the two projects is approximately $197,300,000. The project will be funded primarily by ODOT. The City is requesting MORPC increases its total commitment for the 70/71 projects to $24,000,000.
Projects that require a complete application:
• E. Broad Street, Outerbelt Street to Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road. Anticipated construction in 2026. Total project cost estimate is approximately $24,425,562. The current commitment is approximately $1,360,000, and the total additional attributable funding request is approximately $16,660,449.
• Hilliard Rome Road at Renner Road. Anticipated construction in 2029. Total project cost estimate is approximately $9,868,594. The total attributable funding request is approximately $7,334,875.
• Refugee Road at Hines Road. Anticipated construction in 2029. Total project cost estimate is approximately $8,779,242. The total attributable funding request is approximately $6,351,394.
• Roberts Road at Frazell Road & Spindler Road. Anticipated construction in 2029. Total project cost estimate is approximately $6,709,219. The total attributable funding request is approximately $4,987,375.
• SR-161 at Busch BLVD & Ambleside DR. Anticipated construction in 2029. Total project cost estimate is approximately $20,296,769. The total attributable funding request is approximately $15,140,718.
• 17th Avenue, from IR-71 to Billiter Boulevard. Anticipated construction in 2028. Total project cost estimate is approximately $9,177,443. The total additional attributable funding request is approximately $6,701,955.
• Livingston Avenue, from IR-70 to Kellner Road. Anticipated construction in 2029. This is a joint project with the City of Bexley, and Bexley is the lead applicant. Total project cost estimate is approximately $22,372,475. The total additional attributable funding request is approximately $16,593,981.
• CTSS for Northwest Corridor. Anticipated construction in 2027. Total project cost estimate is approximately $6,555,480. The total attributable funding request is approximately $5,405,480.
• Cassady Avenue SUP. Anticipated construction in 2028. Total project cost estimate is approximately $8,393,002. The total attributable funding request is approximately $6,114,401.
• McNaughten Road SUP. Anticipated construction in 2028. Total project cost estimate is approximately $13,216,296. The total attributable funding request is approximately $9,825,344.
• Sullivant Avenue SUP. Anticipated construction in 2028. Total project cost estimate is approximately $5,841,691. The total attributable funding request is approximately $4,133,353.
• Dublin-Granville Road (SR-161) SUP. Anticipated construction in 2028. Total project cost estimate is approximately $11,830,830. The total attributable funding request is approximately $ $8,616,664.
SECTION 2. That project additions and substitutions are at the discretion of the Director of Public Service based upon the feasibility of the applications being approved through the scoring process.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to execute project agreements for approved projects.
SECTION 4. That in regard to any/all projects for which funding is approved within the context of this application process, the City will assume and bear one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of construction within its corporate limits minus the portion eligible for federal and state participation and provide maintenance to the improvements in accordance with the provisions of the statutes relating thereto and will make ample financial and other provisions for such maintenance.
SECTION 5. That, at the end of the grant period, or upon request of the grantor, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 6. 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.