Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company relative to the Bridge Rehabilitation - Whittier Street Bridge Rehab and SUP Widening.
The Department of Public Service is engaged in the Bridge Rehabilitation - Whittier Street Bridge Rehab and SUP Widening. This project consists of the rehabilitation of the Whittier Street Bridge over CSX and Norfolk Southern Railroads and the approach roadway work necessary for the widening of the existing sidewalk into a 10 foot wide shared use path (SUP) between Front Street and 1250 feet west of Front Street at the existing Scioto River Trail access point.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements it is necessary to contract with any railroads involved, in this case Norfolk Southern Corporation and CSX Transportation, to perform railroad right-of-way improvements. The railroads previously named are preparing for track work, flagging, engineering and final review of the plans. The City Attorney’s office will work with each railroad to get a construction agreement signed and to get the right-of-way required for this project. This is at the City's expense as the City is initiating the improvements to be performed within the railroad right-of-way.
The funding request for the aforementioned railroad right-of-way improvements work is based upon estimates from the railroads. The railroads will invoice the City for actual costs incurred in performing the improvements. The amount needed may exceed the amount requested in this ordinance. Additional legislation will be submitted by the Department of Public Service if additional funds are needed to complete the relocations.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $379,271.00 is available and appropriated for this project within the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, within the Department of Public Service.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested in order to facilitate the timely execution of the requisite agreements so as to maintain the current project completion schedule.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company relative to the Bridge Rehabilitation - Whittier Street Bridge Rehab and SUP Widening; to authorize the expenditure of up to $379,271.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund for this project; and to declare an emergency. ($379,271.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service is engaged in the Bridge Rehabilitation - Whittier Street Bridge Rehab and SUP Widening, which consists of the rehabilitation of the Whittier Street Bridge over CSX and Norfolk Southern Railroads; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned effort requires cooperation from railroad companies that operate within the proposed project limits; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to execute agreements with CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company to review and approve engineering and design plans, construction specifications and drawings, and other documents necessary to the successful completion of the planned improvements; and
WHEREAS, the estimated cost of those services is $379,271.00; 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 execution of the aforementioned agreements so as to maintain the current project completion schedule, 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 Director of Public Service be and is hereby authorized to enter ino agreements with CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company for the purpose of authorizing those entities to review and approve engineering and design plans, construction specifications and drawings, and other documents and work necessary to the completion of the Bridge Rehabilitation - Whittier Street Bridge Rehab and SUP Widening per the accounting codes in the attachment to this Ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $379,271.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5911 (Division of Infrastructure Management), Project P530301-160380 (Bridge Rehabilitation - Whittier Street Bridge Rehab and SUP Widening), Object Class 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 made a part hereof, this Ordinance is 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes this Ordinance.