Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize an agreement between the Columbus Department of Development and the Ohio Department of Development to receive and administer a grant of up to $300,000 under the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund and to authorize an agreement between the Columbus Department of Development and Wagenbrenner Development 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 grant of up to $300,000 under the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund was established by Columbus City Council Ordinance 0030-10 passed on January 11, 2010.
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 an application for a $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 As a result, Ohio EPA suggested that Columbus' application be withdrawn until further assessment of the site could be undertaken.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.
The application for the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant has been approved and both the Columbus Department of Development and Wagenbrenner Development agreed to follow the recommendation of the Ohio EPA and accept the offer of assistance from the Ohio Department of Development contingent on Columbus City Council approval.
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to begin entering into the aforesaid agreements and acquire the grant so work may commence as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this legislation is provided by a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant from the Ohio Department of Development in the amount of $300,000.00.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Development to receive and administer a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant of up to $300,000.00 for environmental assessment activities at the former 3M site at 1206 N. Fourth St. in the Weinland Park Neighborhood of Columbus; to authorize the appropriation of up to $300,000.00 from the General Government Grant Fund; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into an agreement with Wagenbrenner Development to apply said grant funding for environmental assessment at the former 3M site; to authorize the expenditure of up to $300,000.00 from the General Government Grant Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
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 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, Columbus City Council approved Ordinance 0030-10 to allow the Director of the Department of Development to apply for a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant of up to $300,000 and the Ohio Department of Development has approved the application; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to except said grant and to enter into an agreement with Wagenbrenner Development so work may commence as soon as possible for environmental assessment at the former 3M site, 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 enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Development to receive and administer 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 the sum of up to $300,000 be and is hereby appropriated from the un-appropriated balance of the General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources appropriated and un-appropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, to the Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division Number 44-02, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3526, with the OCA and grant codes to be issued by the City Auditor upon award of said grant.
Section 3. That the Director of the Columbus Department of Development is authorized to enter into an agreement with Wagenbrenner Development in an amount of up to $300,000 for environmental assessment work at the former 3M site in the Weinland Park neighborhood of Columbus.
Section 4. That for the purpose stated in Section 3., the expenditure of up to $300,000 is hereby authorized from the General Government Grant Fund, Fund 220, Department of Development, Economic Development Division, Division No. 44-02, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3526, with the OCA and grant codes to be issued by the City Auditor upon award of said grant.
Section 5. 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.