Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to make additional payment to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) relative to FRA-70-21.33, PID 109014, also known as the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project.
The aforementioned project, which is being administered by ODOT, encompasses various safety upgrades at the interchange of I-70 and Hamilton Road, including: widening the Hamilton Road ramp to I-70 eastbound to two lanes; realigning the I-70 east entrance and exit ramps at the SR 317/Hamilton Road intersection; removing the I-70 east to SR 317 NB connector and the connector to Hilton Corporate Drive; and upgrading the traffic signal at that location.
Ordinance 3162-2022, which passed on December 5, 2022, authorized the Director of Public Service to enter into agreement with and provide funding in the amount of up to $245,770.00 to ODOT to pay the local share of estimated construction and inspection costs. However, when ODOT let the project on January 12, 2023, the apparent low bid substantially exceeded the original cost estimate, prompting ODOT to seek additional funding from the Department of Public Service to support completion of the project.
The purpose of this legislation is to enable the Department of Public Service to satisfy its increased financial obligation related to that effort.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of up to $70,170.00 is budgeted in the Gas Tax Fund within the Department of Public Service. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2023 operating budget, Ordinance 2937-2022.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested in order to maintain the project schedule established by ODOT and to promote highway safety.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to enter into agreements with and provide funding to the Ohio Department of Transportation relative to the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $70,170.00 from the Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($70,170.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is administering FRA-70-21.33, PID 109014, also known as the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned project is located within the Columbus corporate boundaries; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3162-2022 authorized the Director of Public Service to enter into agreement with and provide funding in the amount of $245,770.00 to ODOT to support the local share of estimated construction and inspection costs; and
WHEREAS, ODOT let the project on January 12, 2023, at which the apparent low bid substantially exceeded the original cost estimate, thus increasing the proportionate share of project costs to be borne by the Department of Public Service; and
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the encumbrance and expenditure of additional funds for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this legislation to satisfy the outstanding obligation owed to ODOT as soon as reasonably practicable in order to maintain the schedule established by ODOT and to promote highway safety, 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 hereby is authorized to make payment to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to satisfy the outstanding obligation owed to ODOT relative to the completion of FRA-70-21.33, PID 109014, also known as the Safety Upgrades - Hamilton Rd. Safety Improvements project.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $70,7170.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2265 (Gas Tax Fund), Dept-Div 5913 (Division of Traffic Management), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 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.