Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of Sustainable Columbus, to implement the pilot Resilience Hub program in support of the City’s sustainability and community prosperity goals with Maize Manor United Methodist Church, Inc. The Church will undertake actions to effectuate all aspects of a Resilience Hub including incorporation of a clean energy powered microgrid that will allow the Church to serve and meet the needs of the community during extreme weather and potential grid power outages.
Throughout the pilot, Maize Manor United Methodist Church, Inc. will collect data and feedback on Resilience Hub activities to gain insights into effectiveness and make recommendations on how to improve and expand the concept to meet the needs of residents. This will include, but not be limited to, metrics such as number of residents served, number of programs and services offered to residents, microgrid deployment and usage, and deployment as a heating and cooling center.
The City’s sustainability goals include piloting and creating a network of Resilience Hubs across the city and piloting 5 microgrid projects by 2030.
The contract is anticipated to be for 1 year or until funds are expended and will likely begin in or around January of 2026.
These services are unable to be provided by current city staff due to the technical expertise and nature of the microgrid work, as well as limitations and ability to rapidly respond to community needs as they occur during extreme weather scenarios.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $75,000.00 from the Sustainable Columbus Fund to Maize Manor United Methodist Church, Inc. to implement the pilot Resilience Hub and clean energy powered microgrid program.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency to ensure utilization of the 2025 Federal Tax Credits for the battery backup portion of the project.
Title
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of Sustainable Columbus, to implement the pilot Resilience Hub Program in support of the City’s sustainability and community prosperity goals with Maize Manor United Methodist Church, Inc.; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $75,000.00 from the Sustainable Columbus fund; and to declare an emergency. ($75,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, Maize Manor United Methodist Church, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the City’s sustainability and community prosperity goals and clean energy industry; and
WHEREAS, this pilot program will undertake actions to effectuate all aspects of a Resilience Hub including incorporation of a clean energy powered microgrid that will serve and meet the needs of the community during extreme weather and potential grid outages; and
WHEREAS, this contract is awarded pursuant to provisions relating to non-profit services of City Code Chapter 329.30; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management, on behalf of Sustainable Columbus, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a not-for-profit service contract with Maize Manor United Methodist Church, Inc.; to implement the Resilience Hub pilot program to ensure the utilization of the 2025 Federal Tax Credits, the contract is anticipated to begin in January 2026, all for the immediate preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management, on behalf of Sustainable Columbus, is hereby authorized to enter into not-for-profit service contract with Maize Manor United Methodist Church, Inc. for a Resilience Hub pilot program.
SECTION 2. The amount of $75,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 2260/226001 (Sustainable Columbus Fund), Dept-Div 4550 (Finance Director’s Office) in object class 03 (Contractual Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $75,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized by the Sustainable Columbus Fund 2260 in object class 03 Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of Finance and Management, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.30 relating to awarding not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 8. 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.