Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award and administer water infrastructure projects identified as Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) and Community Project Funding (CPF) (also known as “earmarks”) from federal appropriations acts. For Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025 (FY 24 and FY25) the Consolidated Appropriations Act includes funding for State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) accounts funded by the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, and the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, which provides the opportunity for water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure grant funding. These requests are received through Members of Congress. Starting with the fiscal year 2022 appropriations, Members of Congress began a new process for Members. While directed funds were previously referred to as “earmarks,” under this new, more transparent process, this funding is referred to as “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS) in the U.S. Senate and “Community Project Funding” (CPF) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
For Fiscal Year 2024, the Department of Public Utilities requests approval to apply for and if funded, receive $750,000 in Community Project Funding for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity Expansion Project (submitted through Representative Mike Carey).
For Fiscal Year 2025, the Department of Public Utilities requests approval to apply for and if funded, receive up to $2,500,000 in Community Project Funding for the Southerly Far East Train Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project Phase II (submitted through Representative Mike Carey).
For Fiscal Year 2025, the Department of Public Utilities request approval to apply for and if funded, receive up to $2,500,000) in Community Project Funding for the Drinking Water Infrastructure - support upgrades to drinking water treatment infrastructure (Senator Sherrod Brown).
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this legislation will authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for, receive, and if funded, appropriate and expend grant funds from the United States Environmental Protection Agency State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG). Appropriations of potential grant funds and the City's cost share will be authorized in a subsequent ordinance.
FY 24 project $750,000 grant ($187,500 matching cost share) (Representative Carey)
FY 25 request $2,500,000 ($625,000 matching cost share required) (Senator Brown)
FY 25 request $2,500,000 ($625,000 matching cost share required) (Representative Carey)
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to apply for, receive and execute Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 United States Environmental Protection Agency State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) funding; to authorize the execution of grant and other requisite agreements funded with U.S. EPA STAG program grants; to provide for the acceptance and administration of said grant award on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities; to authorize the expenditure of any awarded funds and the refund of any unused funds. ($0.00).
Body
WHEREAS, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award and administer water infrastructure projects identified as Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) and Community Project Funding (CPF) (also known as “earmarks”) from federal appropriations acts, designed to assist states, local governments; and
WHEREAS, requests are received through members of the United States Congress for Consolidated Appropriations Act funding through the United States Environmental Protection Agency for State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) program accounts funded by the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, and Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, which provide the opportunity for water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure grant funding. If awarded, STAG Program funds will provide the City up to $750,000 for a Fiscal Year 2024 grant and additional funding through FY25 grant requests totaling $5,000,000; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to apply for, receive and execute US EPA STAG grant funding for water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure improvements through the Community Grants Program and Congressionally Directed Spending Program; and
WHEREAS, City Council approval is needed to apply for and accept the grant funding;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to submit an application for a grant for US EPA STAG grant funding through the Community Grants Program and Congressionally Directed Spending Programs; to accept said grants, if awarded; and to execute a grant agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate said application, acceptance, or agreement on behalf of the Department of Public Utilities.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to execute any agreement or other documents necessary to effectuate applying for and receiving U.S. EPA STAG grant funding.
SECTION 3. That the Department of Public Utilities be and hereby is authorized to expend any awarded grant funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of said grants.
SECTION 4. That, at the end of the grant period, or upon request of the grantor, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.