TITLE
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE GRANT OF A PERPETUAL EASEMENT AND RIGHT-OF-WAY ACCESS TO THE OHIO POWER COMPANY (AEP) FOR PRIMARY ELECTRIC SERVICE AT 825 TECH CENTER DRIVE; WAIVING SECOND READING, DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
BODY
WHEREAS, The City owns real property located at 825 Tech Center Drive, which has been identified as the site for a consolidated facility to serve the operational needs of Police Headquarters, City Hall, and the Senior Center; and
WHEREAS, Construction of said facility commenced in May 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2026; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Power Company, an Ohio corporation and a unit of American Electric Power (AEP), provides primary electric service to the facility; and
WHEREAS, The City and Ohio Power Company have determined that it is necessary to relocate the primary electrical service into the building from the eastern property line; and
WHEREAS, Such relocation requires the placement of new electrical infrastructure within a perpetual easement across City-owned property, as more fully described and depicted in the attached EXHIBIT A (AEP Easement Agreement - 825 Tech Center Drive), which shall run with the land; and
WHEREAS, Granting said easement and right-of-way access is necessary to ensure timely completion of construction and uninterrupted electrical service to the facility; and
WHEREAS, The Administration has requested that this Ordinance be passed with a waiver of a second reading and as an emergency measure immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; to wit: alignment with construction schedules and utility coordination requirements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That City Council hereby authorizes and approves the grant of a perpetual easement and right-of-way to Ohio Power Company for the purpose of installing, operating, maintaining, repairing, and replacing primary electric service facilities on City-owned property located at 825 Tech Center Drive, as legally described and depicted in the attached EXHIBIT A easement agreement.
Section 2. That the Mayor and/or any other necessary City officials are hereby authorized and directed to execute the easement agreement and all related documents on behalf of the City, and to take all actions necessary to effectuate this Ordinance, including recording the easement with the Franklin County Recorder upon acceptance by Ohio Power Company.
Section 3. That the second reading is hereby waived.
Section 4. That for the reasons set forth in the preamble above, this Ordinance is declared an emergency measure which shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its passage and on date of signature of approval by the Mayor.