Explanation
Background: The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) Program, funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, represents a Presidential priority to deploy the cheapest, cleanest, and most reliable energy technologies available - energy efficiency and conservation - across the country.
The Program, authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act is modeled after the Community Development Block Grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is intended to assist U.S. cities, counties, states, territories, and Indian tribes to develop, promote, implement, and manage energy efficiency and conservation projects and programs designed to:
· Reduce fossil fuel emissions;
· Reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities;
· Improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other appropriate sectors; and
· Create and retain jobs.
Through formula and competitive grants, the Program empowers local communities to make strategic investments to meet the nation's long-term goals for energy independence and leadership on climate change. The City of Columbus has received $7,403,500 from this allocation, as described by Ordinance No. 0868-2009, passed June 22, 2009. The Franklin County Historical Society dba COSI Columbus (or COSI) was identified as a sub-recipient of up to $144,000 of these monies.
The contract with COSI will enable it to make a variety of energy savings investments to its 300,000+ square foot facility. The COSI site is owned by the City of Columbus and is leased by the City to the State of Ohio. COSI operates the site under an agreement with the State of Ohio. A recent energy audit, with an advisory board including representation from the City of Columbus, provided recommendations on potential energy saving investments in new equipment and technology to reduce energy consumption and operating expenses. These projects include the installation of carbon dioxide sensors to reduce the intake of outside air to only that amount needed for actual ventilation (demand control ventilation) rather than a fixed amount; reprogramming the building management system; and modification of the constant volume air handling system to allow for variable air volume operation which allows more specific efficient heating and cooling operations.
COSI - 05-3238216 - no expiration date
Fiscal Impact: The grant does not require a City match; however, COSI has received a $500,000 grant from the State of Ohio.
Emergency action is requested so that the improvements to be undertaken by COSI can begin as soon as possible. Under federal regulation, these monies must be allocated within eighteen months of the United States Department of Energy formal acceptance and must be fully spent within thirty-six months of award notice. Otherwise, funding must be returned.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management to contract with the Franklin County Historical Society, dba COSI Columbus (or COSI) for an energy efficiency retrofit of the Columbus facility; to authorize the expenditure of $144,000.00 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant; and to declare an emergency. ($144,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has been allocated funding from the American Recovery and Revitalization Act of 2009 (ARRA), and has received a formula allocation of up to $7,403,500 from the United States Department of Energy for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant; and
WHEREAS, as a sub-recipient, COSI will make a number of energy efficiency upgrades to its facility which will reduce the amount of energy required to heat and cool this facility; and
WHEREAS, these improvements will pay for themselves within approximately six years; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) for an energy retrofit to its facility and to do so as quickly as possible in order to meet the provisions of the Federal ARRA funds and to realize the benefits of improved energy efficiency for this facility; thereby preserving the 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 Finance and Management is hereby authorized to enter into contract with the Franklin County Historical Society dba COSI Columbus (or COSI), 333 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215 for an energy retrofit of the Facility located at 333 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio.
Section 2. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $144,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Finance and Management, Department 45-50, fund 220, Grant number 459106, Object Level One 05, Object Level Three 5519, OCA Code 459121.
Section 3. 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 day after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.