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AN ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT AN EASEMENT AND RIGHT-OF-WAY AGREEMENT FROM OHIO POWER COMPANY (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO COLUMBUS AND SOUTHERN OHIO ELECTRIC COMPANY) FOR FIBER-OPTIC INSTALLATION SERVING 825 TECH CENTER DRIVE; WAIVING SECOND READING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
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WHEREAS, in 2022, the property located at 825 Tech Center Drive was identified as an ideal facility to meet the operational needs of the City of Gahanna’s Police Headquarters, City Hall, and Senior Center; and
WHEREAS, construction on this facility began in May 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2026; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Power Company, successor-in-interest to Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric Company, owns the property immediately west of 825 Tech Center Drive, identified as Franklin County Parcel No. 025-011387-00 and located at 700 Morrison Road, Columbus, Ohio; and
WHEREAS, to provide network redundancy and ensure reliable communication for public safety and City operations, the City must install a second fiber-optic lateral connection to the facility; and
WHEREAS, the City has negotiated the purchase of a perpetual non-exclusive easement and right-of-way from Ohio Power Company to allow the installation, operation, and maintenance of said fiber-optic lateral; and
WHEREAS, the proposed cost of the easement is Two Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-Two Dollars ($2,562.00), as described in the Easement Payment Schedule; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to accept this easement to ensure continued connectivity and operational resilience for City facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Administration requests passage of the ordinance as an emergency measure immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; to wit: alignment with construction schedules to avoid delay to critical infrastructure installation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That the City of Gahanna hereby accepts the Easement and Right-of-Way Agreement, attached hereto as EXHIBIT A and incorporated herein by reference, from Ohio Power Company, successor-in-interest to Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric Company, for a perpetual non-exclusive easement, subject to the terms and conditions stated in said Agreement (including any sub-exhibits attached thereto), for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a fiber-optic lateral located on property identified as Franklin County Parcel No. 025-011387-00, 700 Morrison Road, Columbus, Ohio.
Section 2. That the City shall pay Ohio Power Company the amount of Two Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-Two Dollars ($2,562.00) as full compensation for the easement described herein.
Section 3. That the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the Easement and Right-of-Way Agreement and any related documents necessary to complete the transaction.
Section 4. That upon execution, the Easement and Right-of-Way Agreement shall be recorded with the Franklin County Recorder’s Office.
Section 5. That the second reading is hereby waived.
Section 6. 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.