Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) for the H2Ohio Drinking Water Distribution Equipment Grant Acceptance. This ordinance will also authorize the appropriation and expenditure of the grant. The grant amount is $6,824.00.
The Ohio EPA accepted the Department of Public Utilities application in August for the H2Ohio Drinking Water Distribution Equipment grant program. The H2Ohio initiative is a comprehensive and data-driven approach to improve water quality, providing clean and safe water to Ohio communities. The grant covers distribution system equipment such as mobile leak detectors, line locators, valve exercisers, flow meters, hydrant condition assessors, pressure monitors, and training to use the equipment. The Department of Public Utilities will use the grant awarded to purchase underground radio detection utility locator equipment. This equipment will allow staff to locate marker balls placed in the underground sludge line facilities, which helps keep City facilities safe by accurately marking them for excavators.
Principal Parties:
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
50 West Town Street, Suite 700
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Dominic Lohry, (614) 644-1694
Contract Compliance Number: 005089
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: N/A (State of Ohio Agency)
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance will authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $6,824.00 in grant funds from the Public Utilities Water Grant Fund 6013.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a reimbursable grant agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) for Drinking Water Distribution Equipment; to accept a grant in the amount of $6,824.00; and to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $6,824.00 in the Public Utilities Water Grant Fund. ($6,824.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2177-2024 authorized the Director of Public Utilities to apply for funding through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) and has awarded the City of Columbus a grant for Drinking Water Distribution Equipment; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Director of Public Utilities to accept a grant in the amount of $6,824.00 and enter into an agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) for the H2Ohio Drinking Water Distribution Equipment Grant; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $6,824.00 from the Public Utilities Water Grant Fund 6013; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to sign the grant agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) for the H2Ohio Drinking Water Distribution Equipment Grant, NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is authorized and directed to accept a reimbursable grant and enter into a contract with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) for the Drinking Water Distribution Equipment Grant. The amount of the grant is $6,284.00.
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Utilities is authorized to expend the funds for the purpose stated in Section 1.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, the sum of $6,284.00 is appropriated to the Public Utilities Water Grant Fund 6013 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance. Appropriation effective upon receipt of executed grant agreement.
SECTION 4. At the end of the grant period, 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 requirements.
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 Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.