Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the encumbrance of funding in the amount of up to $25,000,000.00 for the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project and authorizes the Director of Public Service to expend funds to support utility relocations and construction services for the project.
Administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation, the project consists of several phases culminating in various improvements to the Interstate Route 70 (IR70) and Interstate Route 71 (IR71) corridor in Downtown Columbus, including reconstructing and widening portions of IR70 eastbound and westbound between Fourth Street and Miller Avenue and resurfacing portions of IR70 and IR71. The project commenced construction in 2019 and construction is expected to continue for several more years. The funds encumbered by this ordinance will be available for use on current and future phases of the project.
Ordinance 2066-2019 authorized the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with ODOT relative to the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project and to expend $8,200,000.00 to defray the cost of anticipated construction and inspection services necessary for the completion of the project.
Ordinance 0556-2020 authorized the encumbrance and expenditure of funding in the amount of up to $625,315.00 to support anticipated utility relocation, construction, and inspection costs in current or future phases of the project. That ordinance also authorized the Director of Public Service to execute agreements, including any future amendments or modifications thereto, if needed, with ODOT to advance the construction of the needed public infrastructure improvements.
Ordinance 1157-2021 authorized the encumbrance and expenditure of funding in the amount of up to $4,650,000.00 to support anticipated utility relocation, construction, and inspection costs in current or future phases of the project.
Ordinance 1299-2022 authorized the encumbrance and expenditure of funding in the amount of up to $3,787,930.65 to support anticipated utility relocation and construction costs in current or future phases of the project.
This ordinance is authorizing funding in the amount of $25,000,000.00 for funding construction, utilities and related costs in addition to City Construction Inspection costs associated with the IR70 and IR71 corridor in Downtown Columbus project.
There are additional phases planned for this project which will need funding. Funding needs in excess of the amount encumbered with this ordinance for the current project phases and for future phases of the project will be submitted for Council consideration with future ordinances.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this project is available and appropriated in the Streets and Highways Bond Fund, Fund 7704, in an amount of up to $25,000,000.00.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested to complete utility work and inspection prior to ODOT’s required funding date and in order to adhere to ODOT’s planned project schedule to promote highway safety.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to expend up to $25,000,000.00 from the Streets and Highways Bond Fund for the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeway project; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation proposes to construct various improvements to IR70/IR71 eastbound and westbound between 4th Street and Miller Avenue as part of Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project; and
WHEREAS, this improvement project is located within the Columbus corporate boundaries; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2066-2019 authorized the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with ODOT relative to the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to encumber and expend additional funds for the City share of the costs for the current phases of this project; and
WHEREAS, there are additional phases planned for this project which will need funding, and funding needs in excess of the amount encumbered with this ordinance for the current project phases and for future phases of the project will be submitted for Council consideration with future ordinances; 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 Director of Public Service expend these funds so as to allow ODOT to maintain the planned project schedule 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 contribute funds to the Ohio Department of Transportation and/or to pay still to be determined utility companies, or companies contracted by utility companies, for construction costs and utility relocation costs related to the Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeways project.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $25,000,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5912 (Division of Design and Construction), Project P530161-100207 (Roadway Improvements - I-70/71 South and East Freeway), 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.