Explanation
The Public Service Department, Fleet Management Division, is eligible to participate in a grant opportunity under the title "Columbus Clean Air Fleet Project." These grant funds are part of the Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality Program (CM/AQ), which is sponsored by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). The goal of the clean air project is to significantly reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles.
If a grant is awarded, three interrelated projects will be undertaken by the Fleet Management Division to achieve emissions reduction. These projects include equipping approximately sixty (60) refuse collection trucks with anti-idling devises, replacing up to 15 existing diesel powered vehicles with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicles, and retrofitting refuse collection trucks and other diesel vehicles with particulate filters, oxidation catalysts, and/or closed crankcase filtration systems that reduce emission pollution. The project may also involve the development of CNG refueling facilities by the Fleet Management Division.
The origin of the proposed project is the Mayor's "Green Team", which created a subcommittee focused on reducing emissions from City-owned vehicles. Projects included in this grant application are a result of plans formulated by this committee, the Fleet Management Division, Refuse Collection Division, and the Green Team.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance has no immediate financial impact. If awarded, a 20% city match is required for this grant in fiscal year 2008. The potential grant award is approximately $1.3 million. The Fleet Management Division funds needed for the city match would be included as part of the Division's 2008 operating and/or capital budget and are expected to be recouped through internal billing of other City agencies.
Emergency action is requested so the legislation can be included as part of the grant application package.
Title
To authorize the Public Service Director to submit a grant application to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission on behalf of the Fleet Management Division for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program funds for the Columbus Clean Air Fleet Project; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission is accepting grant applications for funding from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program; and
WHEREAS, the Fleet Management Division wishes to apply for said funding for the "Columbus Clean Air Fleet Project"; and
WHEREAS, this project proposes to significantly reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles through equipping refuse collection vehicles with anti-idling devises, replacing existing diesel-powered refuse collection and other trucks with Compressed Natural Gas-powered vehicles, and retrofitting refuse collection and other diesel powered vehicles with particulate filters, oxidation catalysts, and/or closed crankcase filtration systems, as appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the project also involves the potential development of compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling facilities to be used by City CNG vehicles; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Service Department, Fleet Management Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Public Service Director to apply for the grant as soon as possible to allow legislation to be included with the grant application package for the preservation of public health, peace, property, and safety ; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Public Service Director be and hereby is authorized to submit a grant application to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program funds for the Columbus Clean Air Fleet Project.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance authorizes an application only and is not a commitment to expend City funds. If awarded a second ordinance to accept and appropriate monies from the grant is required before the City will obligate its funds.
SECTION 3. 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.