Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to create an ACDI in order to complete reimbursement requests for various property owners awarded a grant under the Sidewalk Repair Grant Program. The previous ACDI created to make reimbursement payments has been exhausted.
Ordinance 2584-2016 authorized the expenditure of up to $550,000.00 to establish funding to issue grant payments. This legislation also authorized payment of grant money to various property owners awarded a grant under the Sidewalk Repair Grant Program that make their own repairs, or authorizes payment of grant funds direct to the various contractors that made the repairs if the awarded property owner chooses to hire a contractor to make the repairs. ACDI000201 was created through this ordinance in the amount of $550,000.00
Ordinance 1510-2019 cancelled ACDI000201 and re-established two Auditor Certificates. Auditor Certificate ACDI000840 was established to allow reimbursement of property owners that make required sidewalk repairs on their own in the amount of $50,000.00.
This ordinance is requesting a new ACDI be established in the amount of $50,000.00 using funds remaining in the project to pay for reimbursement requests that have been submitted and approved and allow for the payment of future reimbursement requests to the property owners who have be awarded the grant.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $50,000.00 is available within Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund within the Department of Public Service. An amendment to the 2022 Capital Improvements Budget is required to establish sufficient budget authority for the project. Funds need to be appropriated.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to avoid further delay in making reimbursement request payments to property owners awarded a grant under the Sidewalk Repair Grant Program.
Title
To amend the 2022 Capital Improvement budget; to authorize the expenditure of up to $50,000.00 within the Streets and Highways Improvement Bond Fund to make grant payments under the Sidewalk Repair Grant Program; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus City Code Chapter 905 states property owners are responsible for the proper maintenance and repair of all sidewalks, shared-use paths, and driveway entrances within the abutting right-of-way or easement to their property; and
WHEREAS, the Sidewalk Repair Grant Program has been established to assist low income residential property owners and small business owners located within a Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization district to pay for the required repairs; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize payment of grant money to various property owners awarded a grant under the Sidewalk Repair Grant Program that make their own repairs, or authorize payment of grant funds direct to the various contractors that made the repairs if the awarded property owner chooses to hire a contractor to make the repairs; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to create a new ACDI in the amount of $50,000.00 to make reimbursement payments as a part of the Sidewalk Repair Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Division of Infrastructure Management in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this expenditure so the Sidewalk Repair Grant Program can proceed in order to ensure the safety of the travelling 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 2022 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1896-2022 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /C.I.B. as Amended
7704 / P530210-100015 / Curb Reconstruction - Citywide Curb Rehabilitation Program (Voted Carryover) / $0.00 / $381,312 / $381,312 (to match cash)
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 Streets and Highways Improvement Bond Fund in object 06 Capital Outlay per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 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.