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 Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road project in the Westland Planning Area (52).
The Department of Public Service is engaged in the Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road project. The project involves intersection improvements of W. Broad Street and Doherty Road, which includes construction of span wire traffic signal, addition of left turn lanes, widening of Doherty Road with curb and gutter, addition of storm sewer system, and the addition of a shared use path.
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
Funds in the amount of $150,000.00 are available for this project in Fund 7771, the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund. A transfer of cash is necessary to align spending with the proper project. Funds will need to be appropriated.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested so the establishment of the necessary funds can proceed without delay allowing for acquisition related activities to begin immediately upon identification of necessary parcels to ensure the safety of the traveling public.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to transfer funds between projects and appropriate within the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund; 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 Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road 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 $150,000.00 from the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus is engaged in the Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road project; and
WHEREAS, the project will include intersection improvements of W. Broad Street and Doherty Road which includes construction of span wire traffic signal, addition of left turn lanes, widening of Doherty Road with curb and gutter, addition of storm sewer system, and the addition of a shared use path; 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 through the Department of Development and the Big Darby Revenue Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of funds within Fund 7771, the Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund, and to appropriate to establish sufficient cash to pay for the project; 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 the Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty 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 establish the necessary funds so that the project can proceed without delay allowing for acquisition related activities to begin immediately upon identification of necessary parcels to ensure the safety of the traveling public, 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 transfer of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within Fund 7771 (Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund), from Dept-Div 4402 (Economic Development), Project P771011-100000 (Big Darby - Crown Pointe), Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) to Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P531043-100000 (Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road), 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 $150,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 7771 (Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P531043-100000 (Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road), 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 - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road project in an amount up to $150,000.00.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $150,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7771 (Northwest Corridor Pay as We Grow Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Design and Construction), Project P531043-100000 (Roadway - W. Broad Street and Doherty Road), 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.