Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to give the Director of the Department of Development the authority to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for a grant of up to $300,000 under the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund for site assessment activities at the former 3M site (aka, former Auld site) at 1206 N. Fourth St. in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus. Approval to apply for a $3 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant was established under Columbus City Council Ordinance 0995-09 passed on July 13, 2009.
The former 3M site was used for metal finishing operations from 1920 to 2000 when operations closed. It has remained vacant since 2000 and since that time, has been a blighting influence in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus.
Recently, the Columbus Department of Development, in partnership with Wagenbrenner Development, submitted the application for the $3 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant, but upon review by the Ohio EPA, concern was expressed that the site may be more contaminated than originally understood. As a result, Ohio EPA suggested that Columbus' application be withdrawn until further assessment of the site could be undertaken. In cooperation, the Ohio Department of Development offered Columbus an opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $300,000 in Clean Ohio Assistance Funds to conduct additional environmental assessment of the site and invited the city to resubmit the $3 million Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund application in mid-2010.
Both the Columbus Department of Development and Wagenbrenner Development wish to follow the recommendation of the Ohio EPA, and accept the offer of assistance by the Ohio Department of Development, by applying for the $300,000.00 grant for additional environmental assessment at the 3M site.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to begin the application process as soon as possible in order to meet the State's deadline for application submittal.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no costs to the City of Columbus associated with applying for the grant funding. If the application is approved by the State, the City of Columbus will receive up to $300,000.00 in grant funding for environmental assessment up at this site.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Development to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for Clean Ohio Assistance Funds of up to $300,000 for environmental assessment activities at the former 3M site enter at 1206 N. Fourth St. in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus Department of Development submitted a Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant application in 2009 under the authority of Columbus City Council Ordinance 0995-09 for the former 3M site at 1206 N. Fourth Street in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio EPA suggested that additional environmental assessment activities should be conducted at the 3M site before the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant application process continues; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Development has offered to assist Columbus in obtaining a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant of up to $300,000 to conduct additional environmental assessment activities at the 3M site and allow the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grant process to continue upon completion of the additional environmental assessment work; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to begin the application process in order to meet the State's deadline for application submittal, all for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Columbus Department of Development is hereby authorized and directed to apply to the Ohio Department of Development for a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant in an amount of up to $300,000.00 for environmental assessment activities at the former 3M site in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus.
Section 2. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this resolution is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its adoption and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.